Acute pulmonary oedema during intravenous urography.

Adverse reactions following intravenous contrast media administration are uncommon. In a study of 302,083 urographic examinations, Shehadi 1 established an overall incidence of adverse reactions to be at or slightly below 5%. Based on the clinical status of the patients and the need for treatment these adverse reactions are graded into minor, intermediate, severe and death. Minor reactions such as nausea and vomiting are common and they do not require any form of treatment. Intermediate reactions like bronchospasm require some form of treatment in the radiology department, whereas severe reactions under which acute pulmonary oedema is categorised require intensive treatment and hospitalisation.