What it means
CT shows tissues in shades of gray by how dense they are. Isodense means a spot is about the same shade as its surroundings. Because the two look alike, an isodense spot can be hard to see. It may only stand out because it pushes on nearby structures, changes an organ's outline, or looks different after contrast dye is given.
When it matters
Isodense is neither good nor bad by itself. It mostly explains why a finding is hard to spot, or why the radiologist cannot say more yet. Tissues that look alike on plain CT often look different with contrast, on MRI or on ultrasound. One of these may be suggested. Comparing with older scans also helps show whether something is new.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Would a scan with contrast, an MRI or an ultrasound show it more clearly?
- How was it found if it looks the same as the tissue around it?
- Can it be compared with my older scans?
