Patient allergies: role in selective use of nonionic contrast material.

PURPOSE: To determine which aspects of patient allergies allergists and immunologists would recommend for the selective use of nonionic contrast material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey about allergy and the selective use of nonionic contrast material was sent to 1,017 allergists and immunologists. RESULTS: Of 287 respondents, 262 believed that a non-contrast material-related allergy alone was not an indication for use of nonionic contrast material. Most (n=219) believed that a previous serious or life-threatening reaction was the best indication and that a minor reaction was not an indication. Most respondents believed that patients with any previous reaction to contrast material should receive nonionic contrast material, steroids and then nonionic contrast material, or no contrast material at all. CONCLUSION: Use of nonionic contrast material in patients with previous non-contrast material-related allergic reactions should be limited to patients with previous serious or life-threatening reactions.