Kidney problem after contrast dye?

[luvwinnie]

Anyone have experience with kidney problems after having contrast dye for a CT scan? My father's dr. ordered one because there is a small cyst on his ONE Kidney...he has only one due to cancer. I just read this:

Rarely, contrast dye may cause kidney failure. Patients with diabetes, impaired kidney function, and patients who are dehydrated are at higher risk for kidney failure.

Emailing dr. now.

 

[PinGirl_07]

I have never had a problem with any of the dye they inject with me. Weather Bone or CT or anything else.

But I am only 18 so it could be because I am younger

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It doesn't commonly cause cysts. Sometimes dye causes kidneys to work a little less effectivey, usually temporarily, but not cysts. Of course, unusual things can sometimes occur, but it wouldn't be one of the things you would normally see. HTH.

 

[disykat]

My mom went into kidney failure after her colonoscopy and they now think the solution she had to drink is the reason. I don't know if it is similar to the CT mixture or not. Studies are starting to find (new information) that people on certain drugs have more difficulties tolerating the solution. Evidently her blood pressure meds may have been the problem.

After a year spent watching her numbers and making plans for dialysis and a kidney transplant from me or my sister, her numbers are going back up. She is now at 20% function and the doctors are saying she has several good years before dialysis and a transplant will not be in the works since she'll be too old by the time she needs one.

I still plan on having a colonoscopy when it's time. I'm 45, with a dicey family history in that area so I know it's coming. However, I'll be watching the research carefully, consulting with my doctor, and DRINKING LOTS OF WATER! Despite a bad personal experience in my family, I know that these tests do lots of good despite the small number of people that have problems. More good than bad. Playing the odds, I think it's generally better to have the tests.

 

[luvwinnie]

It doesn't commonly cause cysts. Sometimes dye causes kidneys to work a little less effectivey, usually temporarily, but not cysts. Of course, unusual things can sometimes occur, but it wouldn't be one of the things you would normally see. HTH.

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. The dye did not cause the cyst...he hasn't had the dye yet. We are trying to decide if it's worth the risk for him to get the test with the dye.

 

[supercarrie]

I have had the CT scan with dye done numerous times (in the US) and it has never affected me either. But I had them done between the ages of 17-19 (am 20 now) and was in fairly good health save for one chronic parathyroid issue that was causing the kidney problems. Best of luck with your decision; hopefully your father's doctor will have considered this potential when ordering the test.

 

[JustHolly]

DH had kidney problems and can't have any tests with contrast dye because it could push him into kidney failure.

What you need to find out is his current kidney function... what his creatinine and BUN levels are from any bloodwork he has had done. If they are "normal," (which they can be with one kidney if it's working well), he should be fine. If these levels are elevated, I wouldn't do the test.

 

[luvfigment]

I would double check with the MD also. How is his kidney function now? Did they already do an ultrasound? Are the going to pre-hydrate him or pre-medicate. They can sometimes give medications prior to protect the kidney along with giving them IV fluids.

 

[belle&beast]

DD was 3 when she had a VCUG with dye and she has had no problems related to the dye. It is scary and I hope you are able to find more information.

 

[Scutapipig]

My daughter was about 3 also, when she had a VCUG. This particular time, she was at the beginning stages of a UTI which we did not know about. There was just enough bacteria to be carried through the dye and of course, was washed up into her kidneys. She was hospitalized about 8 hours later with a severe kidney infection. But, I need to stress that this was the only time we had issues after having a dye contrast. The other three VCUG's she had went smoothly with no issues afterwards.

As always, run the questions through your doctor before the actual test. They'll know what precautions will need to be made, if any, based upon your father's medical history.

 

[mom2kazkids]

IV contract dyes that are used for radiological tests, heart caths, and such can cause kidney function to decrease. Prior to having dye it is important to have creat levels checked, especially in the case of having one kidney.

There are some medications available that help to lessen the damage that can occur to the kidneys, mucomyst and fenaldapane(spelled wrong) are two that we commonly use. Also it is very inportant to drink alot of fluid after to help wash away the dye.

Barb

 

[akhenaten]

Anyone have experience with kidney problems after having contrast dye for a CT scan? My father's dr. ordered one because there is a small cyst on his ONE Kidney...he has only one due to cancer. I just read this:

Rarely, contrast dye may cause kidney failure. Patients with diabetes, impaired kidney function, and patients who are dehydrated are at higher risk for kidney failure.

Emailing dr. now.

I have Polycystic Kidney Disease and my DR. has never had me use the contrast. You certainly should approach his DR. about this...

Carol in NJ

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm sorry, I misunderstood before. Is your father followed by a nephrologist at all (probably not if his kidney function is normal)? If he is, I would consult with that doctor prior to having the dye, since your father is reliant upon that one kidney so that complicates the case a bit.

I believe they use significantly less dye for something like a CT as opposed to a cardiac interventional procedure, for instance (ask for a comparison). Less is good. I did a search for you to see what literature is out there in re: to similar situations. Not a lot of information for people with one kidney. But all seem to be in agreement that in patients with normal renal function (which could be the case for him even though he only has one kidney), nephrotoxicity due to dye/contrast media is pretty unusual. Here is an article from the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology which discusses it: http://jasn.asnjournals.org/cgi/gca...10&RESULTFORMAT=&gca=jnephrol;5/2/125&allchb=

It's kind of a tough call. You have to weigh the benefits and risks of having the dye with not having it (and evaluating the cyst on the kidney is probably pretty important in a patient with a history of kidney cancer). As others have said, pre hydration is important, also no NSAIDs prior to the exam, he can ask for something like mucomyst (before and after the test) to protect his kidney, and also ask for the best dye available. Also ask if there are any other tests that could be done to evaluate the kidney without using dye - I don't think so, but at least it will make you feel better knowing that if he wants to get that kidney evaluated, he really needs to have the test.

Good luck with this decision, I hope it's nothing serious. HTH.

 

[Katie]

I am a CT technologist.

Your loved one should have a BUN/CREAT lab test done prior to the test. If these tests come back in normal range, than it will be perfectly safe to have the contrast material.

Drinking alot of fluids afterwards will help the situation, but is not mandatory!


We give contrast to patients with only ONE kidney frequently, and if their lab work is within normal range, then they get the contrast!