Anaphylaxis in the Radiology Suite

Karen S Hsu Blatman; Mario Sánchez-Borges; Paul A Greenberger

doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2020.01.014

Anaphylaxis in the Radiology Suite

J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 Apr;8(4):1203-1209. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.01.014.

Authors

Karen S Hsu Blatman¹, Mario Sánchez-Borges², Paul A Greenberger³

Affiliations

¹ Section of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH. Electronic address: karen.s.hsu.blatman@hitchcock.org.
² Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad, Caracas, Venezuela.
³ Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.

PMID: 32276689
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.01.014

Abstract

Contrast media are crucial for modern medical imaging. Contrast agents are generally well tolerated. However, patients may present with adverse reactions, which can be divided into pharmacological effects or hypersensitivity reactions. We present a vignette of a patient with a past history of urticaria after radiocontrast media exposure for coronary angiography. He returns for evaluation for radiocontrast media because he needs another coronary angiography. There are no validated methods for predicting such reactions yet. Mechanisms behind adverse contrast media reactions are still not well understood. Because of unknown contrast agent, the patient was successfully pretreated with corticosteroids and an H1 antihistamine.

Keywords: Anaphylaxis; Contrast media; Drug provocation; Gadolinium-based contrast medium.

MeSH terms

Anaphylaxis* / diagnosis
Contrast Media / adverse effects
Drug Hypersensitivity* / diagnosis
Humans
Male
Radiology*
Urticaria* / diagnosis

Substances

Contrast Media