What type of contrast media is commonly used in radiography?

Iodine-based contrast agents are frequently utilized in radiography due to their ability to enhance the visibility of vascular structures and certain organs during imaging studies. These agents contain iodine, which has a high atomic number and effective at absorbing X-rays, thereby making them appear more radiopaque compared to surrounding tissues. This enhances the contrast in the images, allowing for clearer visualization of blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract during procedures such as angiography and CT scans.

While air-based contrast agents can be used for specific applications, such as in certain gastrointestinal exams, they do not offer the same level of contrast enhancement as iodine-based agents. Carbon dioxide-based contrast agents are less commonly used and primarily serve as alternatives for patients with iodine allergies, but they do not provide the same detail. Barium-based contrast agents are specific to imaging the gastrointestinal tract, such as in barium swallows or enemas, but iodine-based agents have a broader application across various types of radiological studies, especially in vascular imaging.