PREVENTION, MANAGEMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS DUE TO IODINATED RADIOCONTRAST MEDIA

Abstract

Iodinated radiocontrast media (RCM) is used commonly in
clinical practice and can be associated with significant adverse effects including hypersensitivity. All RCM are known to cause immediate anaphylactic reactions and nonimmediate hypersensitivity reactions, most of them delayed skin reactions. Previous reactors have a 21-60 % risk of a repeat reaction when re-exposed to the same or a similar RCM. In a case if re-exposure is required after the type of a previous reaction has been determined, another RCM product should be chosen and a premedication applied. However because the premedication with glucocorticosteroids and antihistamines is not a guarantee against a repeat anaphylactic reaction and can only reduce the severity of reaction, the symptoms of allergic reactions must be recognized by physicians and the treatment started promptly.