For water-soluble oral contrast in abdomen/pelvis imaging, what percentage of iodine is recommended?

The recommended percentage of iodine for water-soluble oral contrast in abdomen and pelvis imaging is typically in the range of 2-5%. This concentration is effective for enhancing the visualization of the gastrointestinal tract during CT scans. Iodine is important in imaging because it effectively increases the contrast between the organs and structures of interest and the surrounding tissues, aiding in the diagnosis and evaluation of various conditions.

In this range, the contrast is adequately concentrated to provide clear images without being so concentrated that it poses an increased risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Higher concentrations may lead to increased viscosity, which can complicate ingestion and may result in reduced patient compliance. Therefore, the 2-5% iodine concentration strikes an effective balance between clarity of images and patient safety.

The other options suggest concentrations that may either be too low to provide sufficient contrast (1-2%) or too high, which may increase the risk of complications or adverse effects during gastrointestinal imaging (6-10% and above).