Check-up must before CT,MRI scans,say radiologists

“Most hospitals have a standard operating procedure whereby the patient’s consent is taken before administering the dye. It is essential to know the patient’s history and identify conditions like asthma,lung ailments,etc. Accordingly,pre-scan drugs are given to ensure no complications arise after administrating the dye,” said Dr Subhash Ramani,professor and radiologist at Tata Memorial Hospital.

While the percentage of deaths is small,side affetcs such as nausea,skin infection and dizziness arising from contrast dyes have been reported in medical literature. Doctors say patients with existing co-morbid conditions,like the patient at JJ,must be extra cautious as they already have a compromised immune system.

“Death due to contrast reaction is not unheard of. If a patient’s medical condition is that of borderline failure,especially the renal chemistry,then administering the dye can result in complete failure leading to death,” said head of the radiology department of Sion Hospital,Dr Suleman Merchant.

Meanwhile,the batch of dye which was administered to the patient at JJ has been sent to the state FDA for analysis.