A note on use of carbon dioxide as a contrast

Contrast induced nephropathy remained a constant issue of  concern in issue and calls for a sharp call of clinical decision in patients with compromised renal function. Though not very popular but in non-neurological radiology workup carbon dioxide can be a good agent which can actually be combined with iodinated contrast to keep its quantity low. Carbon dioxide has almost negligible renal effects. It cannot be used in neurological workup as it carries risk of neurotoxicity.

Rule of thumb: Carbon dioxide can be use as contrast for below diaphragm procedures. 



Related Article at emedicine/Medscape: (click)

Carbon Dioxide Angiography
 Kyung J Cho, MD, FACR, FSIR; Chief Editor: Eugene C Lin, MD

Web-link: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/423121-overview