[Anamnesis and skin test to prevent fatal reactions to iodinated contrast media].

AIMS: The phenomenon of allergic and toxic reaction to the means of yodates contrast occurs with greater frequency than what registers the literature. For this motive was effected the present study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 178,439 cases of patients exposed to iodinated contrast media (ICM) corresponding to 137,147 to patients for excretory urography and 41,292 to cholangiography were studied. A direct interrogation making emphasis on personal antecedents of allergy to contrast media, iodinated products usage, nervous system and cardiovascular illnesses was made. Cutaneous test for iodinated contrast media was applied. If the result was positive no study with ICM was made or it was made with special guidelines. RESULTS: 4,302 positive and 1,276 false negatives were found, 287 positive cases were premedicated and preventive medication was administered in cases of urticaria asthma/and angioedema with negative cutaneous test histories. There were no deaths registered. CONCLUSIONS: The means of yodate contrast are susceptible of unfettering adverse reactions of pharmacological type or immunologic. For this reason is emphasised the usefulness of the anamnesis and the tests of intradermorreaction to detect cases of serious reaction.