A 22-year-old woman died after reportedly suffering a severe allergic reaction during a contrast-enhanced CT scan.
Letícia Paul went into anaphylactic shock shortly after receiving the iodinated contrast.
She was intubated but passed away on Wednesday (20 Aug), less than 24 hours later.
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Letícia had attended the Hospital Regional Alto Vale in Rio do Sul, in Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina, for a routine scan due to a history of kidney stones.
In a statement, the hospital said it “regrets the loss and extends its condolences to the family.”
It added: “We would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ethics, transparency, and patient safety, emphasising that all procedures are carried out in accordance with recommended clinical protocols.”
From Lontras, Letícia held a law degree and was pursuing postgraduate studies in Real Estate Law and Business.
Her funeral was held yesterday (21 Aug) in Rio do Sul, followed by cremation in Balneário Camboriú, as reported by Need To Know.
Iodinated contrast is injected into a vein to make organs and tissues more visible during a CT scan.
It is widely used in medicine and is generally considered safe, but in rare cases it can trigger severe reactions.
Medical studies show that severe reactions to iodinated contrast are very rare, occurring in roughly one in 5,000 to one in 10,000 scans.
Healthcare facilities are typically prepared for such cases, but there are situations where even immediate medical care may not be enough.
Most people experience only mild symptoms, such as warmth, nausea, or itching.
