Abstract
The terms “immediate” and “delayed” adverse reactions induced by contrast media (CM) refer to the reactions' onset but do not provide substantial information concerning the clinical manifestation, the potential risk factors, the treatment modalities, or prevention. Because a variety of different reactions caused by different pathophysiological mechanisms may arise immediately or be delayed after CM injection, and because these need different management, the aim of the present paper is to present the clinical features and to exactly characterize lesser-known cutaneous reactions. A thorough knowledge of the clinical features, their adequate treatment, and, possibly, the subsequent diagnostic procedure for preventing recurrence after reexposure to CM would improve patient management.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Morcos SK, Thomsen HS (2001) Adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media. Eur Radiol 11(7):1267–1275
Thomsen HS, Morcos SK, Contrast Media Safety Committee of European Society of Urogenital Radiology (2004) Management of acute adverse reactions to contrast media. Eur Radiol 14:476–481
Morcos SK (2005) Acute serious and fatal reactions to contrast media: our current understanding. Br J Radiol 78:686–693
Webb JA, Stacul F, Thomsen HS, Morcos SK, members of the Contrast Media Safety Committee of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (2003) Late adverse reactions to intravascular iodinated contrast media. Eur Radiol 13(1):181–184
Christiansen C, Pichler WJ, Skotland T (2000) Delayed allergy-like reactions to X-ray contrast media: mechanistic considerations. Eur Radiol 10:1965–1975
Katayama H, Yamaguchi K, Kozuka T, Takashima T, Seez P, Matsuura K (1990) Adverse reactions to ionic and nonionic contrast media. A report from the Japanese Committee on the Safety of Contrast Media. Radiology 175:621–628
No authors listed G (1996) Delayed allergy-like reactions to X-ray contrast media. Exploration of the problem. Eur Radiol 6(5 Suppl):1–24
Pohly JP (1998) Onset of late adverse drug reactions to dimeric non-ionic contrast media: iotrolan, iodixanol. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 7(Suppl 1):S18–S22
Dooley M, Jarvis B (2000) Iomeprol: a review of its use as a contrast medium. Drugs 59:1169–1186
Muth CP, Henseke P, Grynne BH (1997) Iopentol (Imagopaque) in vascular procedures. A multi-centre monitoring trial assessing adverse events and diagnostic information-results from 3,587 patients in Germany. Eur Radiol 7(Suppl 4):S104–S108
Doerfler A, Fiebach J, Wanke I, Forsting M, Henseke P, Sartor K (1999) Iodixanol in cerebral computed tomography: a randomized, double-blind, phase-III, parallel study with iodixanol and iohexol. Eur Radiol 9:1362–1365
Federle MP, Chezmar JL, Rubin DL, Weinreb JC, Freeny PC, Semelka RC, Brown JJ, Borello JA, Lee JK, Mattrey R, Dachman AH, Saini S, Harmon B, Fenstermacher M, Pelsang RE, Harms SE, Mitchell DG, Halford HH, Anderson MW, Johnson CD, Francis IR, Bova JG, Kenney PJ, Klippenstein DL, Foster GS, Turner DA (2000) Safety and efficacy of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP) injection for hepatic MRI in adults: results of the U.S. multicenter phase III clinical trials (safety). J Magn Reson Imaging 12:186–197
Wang C, Gordon PB, Hustvedt SO, Grant D, Sterud AT, Martinsen I, Ahlstrom H, Hemmingsson A (1997) MR imaging properties and pharmacokinetics of MnDPDP in healthy volunteers. Acta Radiol 38:665–676
Kim SH, Cho JY, Lim HK (1999) CT findings of isolated small bowel angioedema due to iodinated radiographic contrast medium reaction. Abdom Imaging 24:117–119
Bennasr S, Magnier S, Hassan M, Jacqz-Aigrain E (1994) Anaphylactic shock and low osmolarity contrast medium. Arch Pediatr 1:155–157
Lieberman P, Siegle RL, Kaplan RJ, Hashimoto K (1976) Chronic urticaria and intermittent anaphylaxis. Reactions to lophendylate. JAMA 236:1495–1497
Laroche D, Namour F, Lefrancois C, Aimone-Gastin I, Romano A, Sainte-Laudy J, Laxenaire MC, Gueant JL (1999) Anaphylactoid and anaphylactic reactions to iodinated contrast material. Allergy Suppl 58:13–16
Laroche D, Aimone-Gastin I, Dubois F, Huet H, Gerard P, Vergnaud MC, Mouton-Faivre C, Gueant JL, Laxenaire MC, Bricard H (1998) Mechanisms of severe, immediate reactions to iodinated contrast material. Radiology 209:183–190
Kurabayashi T, Ida M, Fukayama H, Ohbayashi N, Yoshino N, Sasaki T (1998) Adverse reactions to nonionic iodine in contrast-enhanced computed tomography: usefulness of monitoring vital signs. Dentomaxillofac Radiol 27:199–202
Bendel, Hoogland PH (1984) Quincke oedema following intrathecal administration of metrizamide. Neuroradiology 26:415–416
Ekholm S, Jonsson E, Sandvik L, Fagerlund M, Holtas S, Isberg B, Lindell D, Linden B, Sjoberg S, Thuomas KA, Tollesson PO (1996) Tolerance and efficacy of Omniscan (gadodiamide injection) in MR imaging of the central nervous system. Acta Radiol 37:223–228
Seiderer M (1992) Phase III clinical studies with gadoteridol for the evaluation of neurologic pathology. A European perspective. Invest Radiol 27(Suppl 1):S33–S38
Murphy KJ, Brunberg JA, Cohan RH (1996) Adverse reactions to gadolinium contrast media: a review of 36 cases. AJR Am J Roentgenol 167:847–849
Johansson SG, Hourihane JO, Bousquet J, Bruijnzeel-Koomen C, Dreborg S, Haahtela T, Kowalski ML, Mygind N, Ring J, van Cauwenberge P, van Hage-Hamsten M, Wuthrich B, EAACI (the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology) Nomenclature Task Force (2001) A revised nomenclature for allergy. An EAACI position statement from the EAACI nomenclature task force. Allergy 56:813–824
Miyauchi T, Hirano T, Ushiyama C, Ovary Z, Okumura K, Katayama H (1996) Anaphylactic IgE and IgG1 production for hapten can be enhanced by contrast media. Br J Radiol 69:920–924
Hoffmeister HM, Heller W (1996) Radiographic contrast media and the coagulation and complement systems. Invest Radiol 31(9):591–595
Lasser EC, Lang JH, Lyon SG, Hamblin AE (1980) Changes in complement and coagulation factors in a patient suffering a severe anaphylactoid reaction to injected contrast material: some considerations of pathogenesis. Invest Radiol 15(6 Suppl):S6–S12
Böhm I, Speck U, Schild H (2005) A possible role for cysteinyl-leukotrienes in non-ionic contrast media induced adverse reactions. Eur J Radiol 55:431–436
Goss JE, Chambers CE, Heupler FA Jr (1995) Systemic anaphylactoid reactions to iodinated contrast media during cardiac catheterization procedures: guidelines for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Laboratory Performance Standards Committee of the Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. Cathet Cardiovasc Diagn 34:99–104
Morcos SK, Thomsen HS, Webb JA; Contrast Media Safety Committee of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (2001) Prevention of generalized reactions to contrast media: a consensus report and guidelines. Eur Radiol 11:1720–1728
Ring J, Rothenberger KH, Clauss W (1985) Prevention of anaphylactoid reactions after radiographic contrast media infusion by combined histamine H1- and H2-receptor antagonists: results of a prospective controlled trial. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol 78:9–14
Gall H, Pillekamp H, Peter RU (1999) Late-type allergy to the X-ray contrast medium Solutrast (iopamidol). Contact Dermatitis 40:248–250
Brockow K, Kiehn M, Kleinheinz A, Vieluf D, Ring J (1999) Positive skin tests in late reactions to radiographic contrast media. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 31:49–51
Courvoisier S, Bircher AJ (1998) Delayed-type hypersensitivity to a nonionic, radiopaque contrast medium. Allergy 53:1221–1224
Brockow K (2005) Contrast media hypersensitivity-scope of the problem. Toxicology 209:189–192
Kanny G, Pichler W, Morisset M, Franck P, Marie B, Kohler C, Renaudin JM, Beaudouin E, Laudy JS, Moneret-Vautrin DA (2005) T cell-mediated reactions to iodinated contrast media: evaluation by skin and lymphocyte activation tests. J Allergy Clin Immunol 115:179–185
Brockow K, Kiehn M, Kleinheinz A, Vieluf D, Ring J (1999) Positive skin tests in late reactions to radiographic contrast media. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 31:49–51
Barbaud A (2005) Drug patch testing in systemic cutaneous drug allergy. Toxicology 209:209–216
Vernassiere C, Trechot P, Commun N, Schmutz JL, Barbaud A (2004) Low negative predictive value of skin tests in investigating delayed reactions to radio-contrast media. Contact Dermatitis 50:359–366
Savill JS, Barrie R, Ghosh S, Muhlemann M, Dawson P, Pusey CD (1988) Fatal Stevens-Johnson syndrome following urography with iopamidol in systemic lupus erythematosus. Postgrad Med J 64:392–394
Ghislain PD, Roujeau JC (2002) Treatment of severe drug reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and hypersensitivity syndrome. Dermatol Online J 8:5
Lee ML, Chiu IS (2002) Toxic epidermal necrolysis incriminating iopamidol in a child after cardiac catheterization. Int J Cardiol 82:95–97
Wood BP, Lane AT, Rabinowitz R (1988) Cutaneous reaction to contrast material. Radiology 169:739–740
Laffitte E, Nenadov Beck M, Hofer M, Hohl D, Panizzon RG (2004) Severe Stevens-Johnson syndrome induced by contrast medium iopentol (Imagopaque). Br J Dermatol 150:376–378
Rosado A, Canto G, Veleiro B, Rodriguez J (2001) Toxic epidermal necrolysis after repeated injections of iohexol. AJR Am J Roentgenol 176:262–263
Schmidt BJ, Foley WD, Bohorfoush AG (1998) Toxic epidermal necrolysis related to oral administration of diluted diatrizoate meglumine and diatrizoate sodium. AJR Am J Roentgenol 171:1215–1216
Kaftori JK, Abraham Z, Gilhar A (1988) Toxic epidermal necrolysis after excretory pyelography. Immunologic-mediated contrast medium reaction? Int J Dermatol 27:346–347
Sadi AM, Toda T, Kiyuna M, Tamamoto T, Ohshiro K, Shinzato R (1995) An autopsy case of malignant lymphoma with Lyell’s syndrome. J Dermatol 22:594–599
Friedmann PS, Strickland I, Pirmohamed M, Park BK (1994) Investigation of mechanisms in toxic epidermal necrolysis induced by carbamazepine. Arch Dermatol 130:598–604
Inachi S, Mizutani H, Shimizu M (1997) Epidermal apoptotic cell death in erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Contribution of perforin-positive cell infiltration. Arch Dermatol 133:845–849
Schnyder B, Frutig K, Mauri-Hellweg D, Limat A, Yawalkar N, Pichler WJ (1998) T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity against keratinocytes in sulfamethoxazol-induced skin reaction. Clin Exp Allergy 28:1412–1417
Correia O, Delgado L, Ramos JP, Resende C, Torrinha JA (1993) Cutaneous T-cell recruitment in toxic epidermal necrolysis. Further evidence of CD8+ lymphocyte involvement. Arch Dermatol 129:466–468
Bagot M, Charue D, Heslan M, Wechsler J, Roujeau JC, Revuz J (1993) Impaired antigen presentation in toxic epidermal necrolysis. Arch Dermatol 129:721–727
Leyva L, Torres MJ, Posadas S, Blanca M, Besso G, O’Valle F, del Moral RG, Santamar LF, Ju C (2000) Anticonvulsant-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis: monitoring the immunologic response. J Allergy Clin Immunol 105:157–165
Paquet P, Paquet F, Al Saleh W, Reper P, Vanderkelen A, Pierard GE (2000) Immunoregulatory effector cells in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis. Am J Dermatopathol 22:413–417
Le Cleach L, Delaire S, Boumsell L, Bagot M, Bourgault-Villada I, Bensussan A, Roujeau JC (2000) Blister fluid T lymphocytes during toxic epidermal necrolysis are functional cytotoxic cells which express human natural killer (NK) inhibitory receptors. Clin Exp Immunol 119:225–230
Paquet P, Pierard GE (1997) Erythema multiforme and toxic epidermal necrolysis: a comparative study. Am J Dermatopathol 19:127–132
Akiyama M, Iijima M, Fujisawa R (1990) Clinical analysis of drug eruption due to iohexol (Omnipaque). Nippon Hifuka Gakkai Zasshi 100:1057–1060
Benson PM, Giblin WJ, Douglas DM (1990) Transient, nonpigmenting fixed drug eruption caused by radiopaque contrast media. J Am Acad Dermatol 23:379–381
Asano S, Ikeda M, Ichikawa E, Okabe S, Kawamura T, Maeda M (1990) Drug eruption due to iohexol (Omnipaque). Rinsho Hoshasen 35:533–536
Good AE, Novak E, Sonda LP (1980) Fixed eruption and fever after urography. South Med J 73:948–949
Yamauchi R, Morita A, Tsuji T (1997) Fixed drug eruption caused by iopamidol, a contrast medium. J Dermatol 24:243–245
Watanabe H, Sueki H, Nakada T, Akiyama M, Iijima M (1999) Multiple fixed drug eruption caused by iomeprol (Iomeron), a nonionic contrast medium. Dermatology 198:291–294
Teraki Y, Moriya N, Shiohara T (1994) Drug-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on lesional keratinocytes in fixed drug eruption. Am J Pathol 145:550–560
Boudoulas O, Siegle RJ, Grimwood RE (1987) Iododerma occurring after orally administered iopanoic acid. Arch Dermatol 123:387–388
Heydenreich G, Larsen PO (1977) Iododerma after high dose urography in an oliguric patient. Br J Dermatol 97:567–569
Vaillant L, Pengloan J, Blanchier D, De Muret A, Lorette G (1990) Iododerma and acute respiratory distress with leucocytoclastic vasculitis following the intravenous injection of contrast medium. Clin Exp Dermatol 15:232–233
Miranda-Romero A, Sanchez-Sambucety P, Esquivias Gomez JI, Martinez Fernandez M, Bajo del Pozo C, Aragoneses Fraile H, Garcia-Munoz M (1999) Vegetating iododerma with fatal outcome. Dermatology 198:295–297
Sparrow GP (1979) Iododerma due to radiographic contrast medium. J R Soc Med 72:60–61
Chang MW, Miner JE, Moiin A, Hashimoto K (1997) Iododerma after computed tomographic scan with intravenous radiopaque contrast media. J Am Acad Dermatol 36:1014–1016
Fransson SG, Stenport G, Andersson M (1996) Immediate and late adverse reactions in coronary angiography. A comparison between iodixanol and ioxaglate. Acta Radiol 37:218–222
Hosoya T, Yamaguchi K, Akutsu T, Mitsuhashi Y, Kondo S, Sugai Y, Adachi M (2000) Delayed adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media and their risk factors. Radiat Med 18:39–45
Rydberg J, Charles J, Aspelin P (1998) Frequency of late allergy-like adverse reactions following injection of intravascular non-ionic contrast media. A retrospective study comparing a non-ionic monomeric contrast medium with a non-ionic dimeric contrast medium. Acta Radiol 39:219–222
Kanzaki T, Sakagami H (1991) Late phase allergic reaction to a CT contrast medium (iotrolan). J Dermatol 18:528–531
Sutton AG, Finn P, Grech ED, Hall JA, Stewart MJ, Davies A, de Belder MA (2001) Early and late reactions after the use of iopamidol 340, ioxaglate 320, and iodixanol 320 in cardiac catheterization. Am Heart J 141:677–683
Orasch CE, Helbling A, Zanni MP, Yawalkar N, Hari Y, Pichler WJ (1999) T-cell reaction to local anaesthetics: relationship to angioedema and urticaria after subcutaneous application-patch testing and LTT in patients with adverse reaction to local anaesthetics. Clin Exp Allergy 29:1549–1554
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Böhm, I., Schild, H.H. A practical guide to diagnose lesser-known immediate and delayed contrast media-induced adverse cutaneous reactions. Eur Radiol 16, 1570–1579 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0202-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-006-0202-9