A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PARALLEL-GROUP TRIAL OF IOMEPROL, IOHEXOLAND IOPAMIDOL IN INTRAVENOUS UROGRAPHY

The aim of this study was to compare the safety, tolerance, and diagno stic efficacy of iomeprol 350 mg I ml(-1), iohexol 350 mg I ml(-1), an d iopamidol 370 mg I ml(-1) in 90 adult patients undergoing intravenou s urography. Radiographs obtained 5, 10 and 15 min after contrast inje ction were blindly graded for quality on a four point scale as: 0, non -diagnostic; 1, diagnostic but of limited quality; 2, diagnostic and o f good quality; 3, fully diagnostic and of very good quality. The sum of these scores indicated the overall diagnostic quality (0-4, non-dia gnostic; 4-8, diagnostic; 9-12, good or excellent). Contrast tolerabil ity was evaluated by discomfort (heat or pain) associated with injecti on of the test compounds, and patients were monitored and questioned f or adverse experiences. The quality of the individual radiographs was assessed as diagnostic and good or fully diagnostic and very good in m ost cases, with no significant differences between the three study gro ups, and overall scores were predominantly good or excellent (p=0.55). All adverse reactions were transient and non-serious, and most of the m were reported as mild in intensity. There were no significant differ ences between the three groups for heat sensation (p=0.29). Pain at th e injection site was reported only in the iohexol group (p=0.104). II is concluded that iomeprol 350 mg I ml(-1) is at least as safe and eff ective as iohexol 350 mg I ml(-1) or iopamidol 370 mg I ml(-1) when us ed for intravenous urography.