COMPARISON OF SOFT-TISSUE EFFECTS OF CONVENTIONAL IONIC, LOW OSMOLAR IONIC AND NONIONIC IODINE CONTAINING CONTRAST MATERIAL IN EXPERIMENTAL-ANIMALS

Conventional, low osmolar, and non-ionic iodine containing contrast media and saline controls were placed in the paws, muscles, and subcutaneous tissues of Sprague-Dawley rat thighs. The paw injections were observed and photographed, while the thighs were examined histologically. Results showed that although the low osmolar and non-ionic agents did produce inflammatory reactions and focal necrosis in the soft tissues, they were much better tolerated than were the conventional ionic agents. A non-ionic or low osmolar ionic contrast agent should be strongly considered when a possibility for extravasation exists. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.