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BOSTON, January 17, 2026 – Doctors sometimes encounter visual trickery on medical scans. A recent case highlighted how leftover contrast dye from an intravenous (IV) procedure can mimic a ureteral stent – a tiny tube placed to help urine flow – on a non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan, potentially leading to unnecessary interventions.
Contrast Confusion: When Scans Deceive
Table of Contents
A lingering effect of IV contrast can sometimes look like a medical implant on imaging, requiring careful interpretation.
- Residual IV contrast can mimic a ureteral stent on CT scans.
- This misinterpretation coudl lead to unnecessary procedures.
- Clinicians should consider recent contrast administration when interpreting scans.
- The case involved a 63-year-old male presenting with right flank pain.
Ureterolithiasis, or kidney stones in the ureter, is a common and often excruciating condition. Accurate diagnosis is crucial, and CT scans are frequently used. However, a case report detailed in Cureus on January 10, 2024, described a 63-year-old man who presented with right flank pain. His CT scan showed what appeared to be a ureteral stent,but further investigation revealed it was actually retained IV contrast.
The Case of the Phantom Stent
The patient had recently undergone a CT angiogram with IV contrast for evaluation of possible pulmonary embolism.When a subsequent non-contrast CT scan was performed to assess his flank pain, a linear structure was visualized within the right ureter. This initially suggested the presence of a ureteral stent. However, review of the patient’s history revealed the recent CT angiogram, and the linear structure was steadfast to be residual IV contrast.
The report notes that the density and linear shape of the retained contrast can closely resemble the appearance of a stent, potentially leading to misdiagnosis.
Implications for Clinical Practice
this case underscores the importance of considering recent IV contrast administration when interpreting CT scans, particularly in patients presenting with flank pain or suspected ureteral obstruction.Clinicians should be aware of this potential pitfall and correlate imaging findings with the patient’s clinical history and prior imaging studies.
The report emphasizes that a thorough understanding of the potential artifacts and limitations of imaging modalities is essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management. Careful attention to detail and a extensive approach to image interpretation can help avoid unnecessary interventions and ensure optimal patient care.
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