A YOUNG law graduate has tragically died after suffering a severe allergic reaction following a CT scan.
Leticia Paul, 22, was undergoing a routine check-up for kidney stones when she reacted to a special dye used in scans.
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The young woman suffered a serious reaction after receiving a contrast agent – a special dye used in CT and MRI scans to make organs and tissues more visible on medical images.
She had a history of kidney stones and was undergoing the scan as part of a routine check at the Alto Vale hospital in Rio do Sul, Brazil.
Leticia had a law degree and was pursuing postgraduate studies in Law and Real Estate Business, according to the national outlet g1.
She was laid to rest on Thursday at Casa Mortuária Jardim Primavera in Rio do Sul before being transported to Crematório Vaticano in Balneário Camboriú, the Mirror reports.
Aunt Sandra Paul, told g1: “She was a vibrant girl, with a lot of personality.
“She loved law, she was so studious. She dreamed big, and I’m sure she would be a well-known name in the legal world.”
The hospital said: “We regret this loss and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family.
“We reaffirm our commitment to ethics, transparency, and patient safety, emphasising that all procedures are conducted in accordance with recommended clinical protocols.”
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.
It comes after a mum suffering from severe bloating died after she had a suspected allergic reaction to a CT scan.
Yvonne Graham, 66, went into cardiac arrest minutes after medics at Northampton General Hospital injected dye – called contrast medium – ahead of a scan to investigate a bloated stomach.
Two hours later, retired-butcher Yvonne died after suffering a cardiac arrest, leaving her family devastated.
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Her daughter Yolanda, 39, believes her mum shouldn’t have been given the dye because Yvonne suffered from stage three kidney disease.
She also thinks her Yvonne would have survived if there had been an EpiPen in the scan room.
The NHS website advises patients to tell their hospital if they have kidney or thyroid problems ahead of a scan.
The use of contrast dye can be necessary to enhance tests like CT scans and MRIs, but sometimes they may lead to kidney problems or cause problems in patients who already have kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
The NHS UK website says: “Complications of a CT scan are rare. Some people can have an allergic reaction to the contrast medium [dye].
“This can cause weakness, sweating and difficulty breathing.”
Rare reactions to contrast dyes
There are two rare but serious disorders associated with contrast dyes and the kidneys:
- Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN)
- Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF)
CIN is a rare disorder and occurs when kidney problems are caused by the use of certain contrast dyes. It can cause a sharp decrease in kidney function over a period of 48 to 72 hours.
The symptoms can be similar to those of kidney disease, which include feeling more tired, poor appetite, swelling in the feet and ankles, puffiness around the eyes, or dry and itchy skin.
In many cases, CIN is reversible and people can recover.
However, in some cases, CIN can lead to more serious kidney problems and possible heart and blood vessel problems.
In most cases contrast dyes used in tests, such as CT scans and angiograms, have no reported problems, with about 2 per cent of people receiving dyes developing CIN.
However, the risk for CIN can increase for people with diabetes, a history of heart and blood diseases, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
NSF is a rare but serious disease affecting the skin and other organs, affecting some patients with advanced CKD after exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast dyes that are used in MRIs.
It affects about 4 per cent of patients with advanced CKD. People with acute kidney injury (AKI) are also at higher risk.
NSF has not been reported in people with mild kidney damage or normal kidney function.
NSF can be painful, debilitating, or even fatal.
Symptoms and signs of NSF can include burning and itching of the skin, red or dark patches on the skin, joint stiffness, or muscle weakness.
The disease can develop within 24 hours up to around three months.
Source: National Kidney Foundation