A RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF IODIXANOL AND IOHEXOL IN ADULT BODY COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY SCANNING

Rationale and Objectives. We compared the safety and imaging efficacy of iodixanol-270 (270 mg I/ml), iodixanoi-320 (320 mg I/ml), both of w hich are isosmolal to blood, and iohexol-300 (300 mg I/ml) for body co mputed tomography (CT) scanning. Methods. One hundred twenty-six patie nts from the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Temple University Ho spital scheduled to undergo body CT examinations were randomly assigne d to receive either iodixanol-270, iodixanol-320, or iohexol-300. Pati ents were monitored with questioning and vital signs before injection, immediately after injection, and at 24 and 48 hr. Extensive laborator y evaluation also was performed. Results. No serious reactions or deat hs occurred in any group. The occurrence of overall minor adverse even ts (usually warmth, headache, taste distortion, rash) was similar for the different groups. Laboratory results showed no significant differe nce across groups. There was no significant difference in image qualit y detected among groups. Conclusion. There was no detectable differenc e in safety and imaging efficacy among the three contrast groups in th is study. However, patients from the University of Wisconsin experienc ed significantly less injection discomfort with iodixanol-270 than wit h iohexol-300. Large clinical studies may more definitively determine the presence and nature of the relative advantages of iodixanol compar ed with currently available ionic and nonionic contrast agents.