T-Tube Cholangiography With Barium After Reaction to lodinated Contrast Medium

Abstract

SEVERE reactions following the intravascular injection of iodinated contrast media include cardiovascular collapse, bronchospasm, urticaria, and abdominal and chest pain.^1,2Reactions during T-tube cholangiography are generally thought not to occur. Hess³states that he has never seen such a reaction during cholangiography. This report emphasizes that, although rare, such procedures can cause severe, allergic-type reactions. We have, in the patient to be described, averted the problem of reaction to iodinated contrast medium by substituting sterile barium sulfate and have employed this contrast agent in the nonoperative extraction of retained common duct stones. <h3>Report of a Case</h3> A 49-year-old man entered the hospital seven weeks after cholecystectomy and common duct exploration for the removal of common duct stones. The patient reported an allergic-type reaction during a previous intravenous urogram manifested by pruritus and urticaria. A subsequent T-tube cholangiogram, however, was performed without incident. There was no history of other