DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000001520 ISSN: 1532-3145

Incidence of Bowel Wall Swelling Induced by Iodine-Contrast Media and Its Association With Gastrointestinal Manifestation

Shiro Ishii, Ryo Yamakuni, Takao Tsuchiya, Anna Yamaki, Junko Hara, Shigeyasu Sugawara, Hirofumi Sekino, Kenji Fukushima, Hiroshi Ito
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging
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Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of bowel wall swelling after iodine-contrast media injection and its relationship with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Methods

The incidence of bowel wall swelling was examined in 75 patients who showed adverse reactions to iodine-contrast media (AR[+] group) and 75 controls without adverse reactions (AR[−] group). Bowel wall swelling was identified if there was increased wall thickness on postcontrast computed tomography when compared with precontrast computed tomography. Swelling less than 2-fold of the original wall thickness was defined as grade 1 bowel angioedema, and swelling more than 2-fold was defined as grade 2.

Results

The incidence of bowel wall swelling was significantly higher in the AR(+) group (26.6%) than in the AR(−) group (10.6%) (P = 0.01). Grade 1 bowel wall swelling was observed in 12.0% and 10.7% of AR(+) and AR(−) groups, respectively, whereas grade 2 was observed in 14.7% and 0%, respectively. Bowel wall swelling was observed in the duodenum and jejunum but not in the stomach, ileum, or colon in any patient in either group. In the AR(+) group, nausea and/or vomiting was observed in 15 patients, among whom bowel wall swelling was observed in 9 patients (60%). The frequency of nausea and/or vomiting was significantly higher in the patients with bowel wall swelling (45.0%, 9/20) compared with those without (10.9%, 6/55).

Conclusion

Bowel wall swelling was more frequent and severe in patients with adverse reactions to iodine-contrast media than those without and was associated with nausea and/or vomiting.

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