Final answer:
a) Intravenously. The phrase 'with contrast' in medical procedure codes refers to intravenously administered contrast material, often used in MRI to enhance imaging of soft tissues by altering magnetic properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'with contrast' used in codes for procedures performed using contrast for imaging enhancement refers to contrast material administered intravenously. This is because intravenous administration of a contrast agent, such as a paramagnetic metal cation complex (e.g., Gadolinium complexed with DTPA), enables detailed imaging of soft tissues through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Oral, topical, and intramuscular routes are not typically associated with contrast-enhanced imaging. The contrast material alters the magnetic properties of water in cells, which assists physicians in obtaining detailed and high-contrast images, necessary for effective diagnosis and treatment planning.
The phrase with contrast in the codes for procedures performed using contrast for imaging enhancement represents contrast material administered intravenously. Contrast agents are substances that are used to enhance the visibility of internal structures in medical imaging techniques such as CT scans, MRI, and PET scans. Intravenous administration involves injecting the contrast material into a vein, allowing it to circulate in the bloodstream and highlight specific areas of interest.