Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2007 Sep;27(3):157-161.

Adverse Reactions to Radio-Contrast Media in Computed Tomography (CT) in General Population: Incidence and Clinical Features

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adverse reactions to radio-contrast media (CM) represent a serious problem. There have been few reports about incidence of adverse reactions to CM in general population.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical features of adverse reactions to low osmolar, nonionic contrast media in the general population. METHOD: A total of 12,177 examinee underwent contrast-enhanced CT using low osmolar, nonionic CM. Immediate adverse reaction is defined as symptoms occur within 1 hour after contrast administration and late adverse reaction is defined as symptoms occur more than 1 hour but less than 7 days following contrast administration. A questio-nnaire was used to collect general and medical information. RESULT: Adverse events were noted in 306 cases of total 13,552 cases. The incidence of adverse reactions was 2.3% and severe reactions was 0.04%. The incidence of immediate reaction was 2.0% and late reactions was 0.3%. Symptoms of immediate and late reactions were nausea/vomiting (22.2%), erythema/pruritus/urticaria (74.2%), angioedema (2.0%) and hypotension (1.6%).
CONCLUSION
The incidence of adverse reaction to low osmolar, nonionic CM was 2.3% in the general population. The skin was the most commonly affected site of adverse reactions.

MeSH Terms

Angioedema
Contrast Media
Hypotension
Incidence*
Skin
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Contrast Media