contrast blush
A focal area of contrast enhancement that appears as a small, bright spot, often indicating active bleeding or hypervascular lesions.
Full Definition
Contrast blush refers to a focal area of intense contrast enhancement that appears as a small, bright, well-defined spot on contrast-enhanced imaging studies. This finding typically indicates active extravasation of contrast material or highly vascular tissue. In emergency radiology, contrast blush often signifies active bleeding, appearing as contrast pooling outside of normal vascular structures. In oncologic imaging, contrast blush may represent hypervascular metastases, primary tumors with rich blood supply, or vascular malformations. The term 'blush' describes the appearance of the enhancement, which often has a rounded or blob-like configuration that stands out distinctly from surrounding tissues. Recognition of contrast blush patterns is important for both emergency and oncologic imaging interpretation.
Usage
Usage note: Most commonly seen on arterial phase imaging; specify timing when reporting.
In Context
- "A small contrast blush in the liver lesion suggests hypervascular metastasis." — CT arterial phase interpretation
- "No active contrast blush is identified to suggest ongoing bleeding." — Trauma CT report