Anaphylaxis in the Radiology Suite

Contrast media are crucial for modern medical imaging. Contrast agents are generally well tolerated. However, patients may present with adverse reactions, which can be divided into pharmacological effects or hypersensitivity reactions. We present a vignette of a patient with a past history of urticaria after radiocontrast media exposure for coronary angiography. He returns for evaluation for radiocontrast media because he needs another coronary angiography. There are no validated methods for predicting such reactions yet. Mechanisms behind adverse contrast media reactions are still not well understood. Because of unknown contrast agent, the patient was successfully pretreated with corticosteroids and an H1 antihistamine.