Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to IV non-ionic iodinated contrast in computed tomography.

Background: With use of computed tomography (CT), intravenous contrast media is used routinely to help define anatomy and identify any pathology. Non-ionic iodinated contrast agents have largely replaced ionic agents and although rare, reactions to contrast are still important and more so with the continual increase in CT examinations in the last decade.

Objective: To examine the incidence, severity and risk factors of immediate hypersensitivity reactions to intravenous non-ionic iodinated contrast in CT.

Study of patients with intravenous contrast extravasation on CT studies, with radiology staff and ward staff cannulations.

Introduction: Intravenous (IV) contrast extravasation is an adverse outcome of computed tomography (CT) studies. This study evaluates for any differences in rates of extravasation between radiology (radiographer) staff and ward medical staff cannulations, and secondarily by cannula size and study type.

Method: A prospective study of 26,854 studies in adults between September 2004 and April 2008 accumulated 119 extravasations.