A severe, late reaction to radiological contrast media mimicking a sepsis syndrome

• Published in: Australasian radiology Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 360 - 362
• Main Authors: Burton, Paul R, Jarmolowski, Elizabeth, Raineri, Frank, Buist, Michael D, Wriedt, Christian HR
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.08.1999
• Subjects: Adult; Contrast Media - administration & dosage; Contrast Media - adverse effects; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Hypersensitivity - complications; Drug Hypersensitivity - diagnosis; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; non-ionic contrast media; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome - complications; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0004-8461; 1440-1673
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1673.1999.433674.x

An unusual, severe delayed reaction to non‐ionic intravenous contrast media was observed. A 44‐year‐old man underwent a computed tomogaphy scan with non‐ionic contrast media. Four hours later the patient collapsed with hypotension and cardiovascular shock. Aggressive management (including inotropic support and fluid resuscitation) was instituted in the intensive care unit. Rigorous imaging and biochemical and microbiological investigation failed to identify a source of this man’s circulatory collapse. A rapid recovery ensued and at 3 months follow‐up the patient was suffering no residual effects from this event. To our knowledge, this is only the second report of a severe delayed reaction to radiological contrast media and the first that manifested as a prolonged hypotensive syndrome.