title: Practice patterns for the use of iodinated i.v. contrast media for pediatric CT studies: a survey of the Society for Pediatric Radiology.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There are limited data available on the use of i.v. contrast media for CT studies in the pediatric population. The purpose of this study is to determine the practice patterns of i.v. contrast media usage for pediatric CT by members of the Society for Pediatric Radiology (SPR).
  
  
  METHODS
  SPR members were surveyed regarding the use of i.v. contrast media for pediatric CT studies. Questions pertained to information required before administering i.v. contrast media, types of central catheters for injecting i.v. contrast media, injection rates based on angiocatheter size and study type, and management of i.v. contrast media extravasation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate of 6% (88/1545) represented practice patterns of 26% (401/1545) of the SPR membership. Most respondents thought the following clinical information was mandatory before i.v. contrast media administration: allergy to i.v. contrast media (97%), renal insufficiency (97%), current metformin use (72%), significant allergies (61%), diabetes (54%), and asthma (52%). Most administered i.v. contrast media through nonimplanted central venous catheters (78%), implanted venous ports (78%), and peripherally inserted central catheters (72%). The most common maximum i.v. contrast media injection rates were 5.0 mL/s or greater for a 16-gauge angiocatheter, 4.0 mL/s for an 18-gauge angiocatheter, 3.0 mL/s for a 20-gauge angiocatheter, and 2.0 mL/s for a 22-gauge angiocatheter. For soft-tissue extravasation of i.v. contrast media, 95% elevate the affected extremity, 76% use ice, and 45% use heat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this survey illustrate the collective opinion of a subset of SPR members relating to the use of i.v. contrast media in pediatric CT, providing guidelines for clinical histories needed before i.v. contrast media, maximum i.v. contrast injection rates for standard angiocatheters, contrast media injection rates for specific CT studies, and management of i.v. contrast media soft-tissue extravasation.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: Sabah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Servaes
authors.forename: Edward Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Alexander J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Towbin
authors.forename: Sjirk J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Westra
authors.forename: Donald P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Frush
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media