Indications for CT without Contrast
Common indications for CT without contrast include: Suspected stroke within the first 3 hours of symptom onset; closed head injury; diffuse lung disease; chronic dyspnea; soft-tissue swelling, infection, or trauma of the extremities; suspected kidney stone; and suspected spinal trauma.
Indications for CT with Contrast
Evaluation using contrast-enhanced CT is indicated in the following common scenarios: acute appendicitis, cancer staging, diverticulitis, suspected complications of inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and suspected pulmonary embolism.