Contrast Induced Nephropathy

There is an increased risk of this condition occurring in patients with an already reduced kidney function. The risk is increased if a patient has large amounts of iodine containing contrast medium or multiple procedures using iodine containing contrast medium over a short period of time, i.e. hours to a few days.

It can result in temporary, prolonged or permanent worsening of kidney function which could result in the need for temporary or permanent dialysis in the most severely affected patients.

There is a clinical prediction rule available to estimate the probability of contrast induced nephropathy in a patient, based on risk factors.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have a kidney problem the radiologist is very likely to completely avoid using gadolinium or iodine if a diagnosis can be confirmed using another test or by performing a CT or MRI without gadolinium or iodine.