Currently in hospital. i need to have scan of cerebral arteries. i don't want the contrast dye, can i ask for a scan without?

Arterial scan: Arteries do not stand out on any scan without a contrast. Arteriography is direct injection of a radiocontrast dye. CT with contrast is less direct. MRI with gadolinium can produce a very good result. The radiologist can provide an MRI of arteries and it is called MRA. gadolinium is safer than radiocontrast dye.

Cerebral arteries: The best resolution of the cerebral arteries occurs with a traditional angiogram. Sometimes a CT angiogram is helpful. These are both done with contrast. An MRI angiogram can be done without contrast, using TOF (time of flight) physics. This is normally poor resolution though. An MRI angiogram (also called MRA) can be done with a different kind of contrast. IV contrast is very safe.