Purpose: The safety and diagnostic efficacy of iodixanol (Visipaque) 270 mg
I/ml was compared to that of iopamidol (Iopamiron) 300 mg I/ml in knee art
hrography.
Material and Methods: This trial was a bi-center double-blind trial includi
ng 128 patients (iodixanol/iopamidol 64/64 patients). Efficacy was evaluate
d by blinded grading of the diagnostic quality of the p.a. images taken 0,
12 and 25 min after contrast administration by the examining radiologist an
d later at a consensus evaluation by two experienced skeletal radiologists.
Adverse events were recorded.
Results: No patient experienced any adverse event. The proportion of better
images at both 12 and 25 min after injection was higher in the iodixanol g
roup compared to the iopamidol group both by the examining radiologist and
at the consensus evaluation.
Conclusion: In the knee joint iodixanol is a safe contrast medium. The cont
rast effect of iodixanol lasted longer than that of iopamidol, which can be
important when performing arthrography, especially CT arthrography, where
the time between puncture and examination can be prolonged.