title: Safe Use of Contrast Media: What the Radiologist Needs to Know.
abstract: Iodinated and gadolinium-based contrast media are used on a daily basis in most radiology practices. These agents often are essential to providing accurate diagnoses, and are nearly always safe and effective when administered correctly. However, reactions to contrast media do occur and can be life threatening. Therefore, it is critical for faculty and staff to know how reactions to contrast agents manifest and how to treat them promptly. The decline in renal function seen occasionally after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast agents is poorly understood and likely multifactorial, and its association with the contrast medium may be overemphasized. However, it is important that radiologists be aware of current understanding and strategies to decrease the incidence of renal dysfunction. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, a skin disease, is an adverse reaction related to use of some gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients with chronic renal failure. The types of gadolinium most often associated with this condition and the indications for withholding gadolinium are important and are discussed in this article. The use of enteric contrast agents and contrast agents during pregnancy and nursing are reviewed briefly. Current knowledge for safe use of contrast media and key concepts that all radiologists should know are summarized in this review.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA Health System, 757 Westwood Plaza, Suite 1621, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
authors.forename: Katrina R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Beckett
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA Health System, 757 Westwood Plaza, Suite 1621, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Moriarity
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA Health System, 757 Westwood Plaza, Suite 1621, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
authors.forename: Jessica M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Langer
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001466:Barium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D000075202:Contraindications; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017613:Iodine Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D054989:Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy / Q000139:chemically induced; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011292:Premedication; D011871:Radiology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D003287:Contrast Media; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D017613:Iodine Compounds; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D005682:Gadolinium