Computed tomography scans with intravenous contrast: low incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in blunt trauma patients.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous (IV) contrast is an important step in the evaluation of the blunt trauma patient; however, the risk for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in these patients still remains unclear. The goal of this study was to describe the rate of CIN in blunt trauma patients at a Level 1 trauma center and identify the risk factors of developing CIN.

Methods: After internal review board approval, we reviewed our Level 1 trauma registry to identify blunt trauma patients admitted during a 1-year period.