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Shoulder arthrography: comparison of morbidity after use of various contrast media

Journal Article · · Radiology; (United States)
This prospective study compares immediate and delayed patient discomfort in 177 patients following shoulder arthrography using intraarticular combinations of metrizamide, meglumine/sodium diatrizoate, meglumine diatrizoate, lidocaine, epinephrine, and air. Patients receiving conventional ionic monomeric positive contrast media had a 60% (90/150) incidence of moderate or severe delayed exacerbation of their baseline symptoms; only 14% (3/21) of patients receiving metrizamide, a nonionic contrast medium had similar levels of postprocedural discomfort. Morbidity was somewhat diminished with the use of double-contrast (45%, 34/75) rather than single-contrast (75%, 56/75) examinations, and with avoidance of sodium-containing contrast agents or epinephrine. Nonionic or monovalent polymeric contrast media, despite their present high cost, may be the agents of choice if single-contrast arthrography is performed in joints associated with a high incidence of postprocedural pain.
Research Organization:
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
OSTI ID:
5905684
Journal Information:
Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 154:2; ISSN RADLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English