Iopamidol in lumbar myelography

Outpatient lumbar radiculography: comparison of iopamidol and iohexol and a literature review

A prospective study of 261 patients undergoing lumbar radiculography using 12 ml iopamidol (200 mgI/ml) was undertaken to determine whether the procedure could be performed safely on an outpatient basis. No statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of side-effects were found between the 132 outpatients and 129 inpatient controls. Nine outpatients had to be kept in hospital at the end of a 4-h observation period and a further two outpatients were re-admitted to hospital because of severe side-effects. The current study was compared with a preceding study of identical design, already published, in which 200 patients underwent lumbar radiculography with 10 ml iohexol (240 mgI/ml). No statistically significant differences in the incidence and severity of side-effects between the two contrast media were evident up to 24 h after the examination. In the period between 24 h and 7 days, the incidence and severity of headache, nausea and dizziness were all significantly greater in the iopamidol group. Although outpatient radiculography can be performed safely with both contrast media, the higher incidence of delayed side-effects in the iopamidol patients prompts the authors to express a preference for iohexol for intrathecal use. The increased incidence of adverse reactions in female patients and the literature comparing iopamidol and iohexol for myelography are discussed.

Tolerance of iohexol, iopamidol, and metrizamide in lumbar myelography

Iohexol and iopamidol, two new nonionic contrast media, have been extensively studied in comparison with metrizamide for lumbar myelography. Review of the literature with statistical analysis indicates both agents are superior to metrizamide in terms of number of patients with adverse reactions (p less than 0.001). Preliminary data suggest, but do not prove, that use of iohexol may result in fewer side effects than iopamidol.

Iohexol and iopamidol: second-generation nonionic radiographic contrast media

Iohexol and iopamidol are new second-generation nonionic contrast media. We review their physical/chemical properties and describe the improvements made over the first-generation nonionic prototype, metrizamide, and conventional ionic contrast media. The significance of low osmolar solutions is discussed and the relationship between osmolality and adverse reactions is emphasized. The convenience of a ready-to-use stable solution that offers an advantage over the lyophilized metrizamide in practical application is suggested. Clinical studies using randomized, double-blind comparison techniques are cited. An attempt is made to define the exact role for iohexol and iopamidol.