A 22-year-old woman died last Wednesday after suffering a severe allergic reaction to the contrast agent administered during a CT scan at the Alto Vale Regional Hospital in Brazil.

Leticia Paul went into anaphylactic shock and was intubated in serious condition. She died less than 24 hours after the procedure, her aunt reportedly told local news outlet g1 in Santa Catarina.

The young woman, from the town of Lontras, had a history of kidney stones and underwent CT scans as a routine procedure, according to Oeste SC Noticias.
The hospital acknowledged the tragedy with a statement:

“We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ethics, transparency and healthcare safety, highlighting that all procedures are conducted in accordance with recommended clinical protocols.”

Since their discovery in the early years of radiology, iodinated contrast media have evolved and become progressively safer. According to Radiopaedia, anaphylactic-type reactions to iodinated contrast agents are rare, accounting for 0.6% of cases, with only 0.04% considered aggressive. Almost all contrast reactions that are life-threatening occur within 20 minutes of intravenous injection.

Patients at increased risk of adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media can often be identified through pre-exam interviews and institutional screening forms. Key risk factors include a prior reaction to contrast (nearly 200× increased risk), hyperthyroidism (~3.5×), family history of hypersensitivity (~14×), allergic diseases such as asthma (6–10× risk of severe reactions), multiple allergies, and even heightened anxiety, Radiopaedia reports.

Paul had a law degree and was pursuing postgraduate studies in Law and Real Estate Business.

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