A 22-year-old woman, Letícia Paul, recently died after suffering a rare but catastrophic allergic reaction during a routine CT scan in Brazil. The incident occurred at Hospital Regional Alto Vale in Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, where Paul had visited for a scan linked to her history of kidney stones.
Moments after receiving an iodinated contrast dye, Paul went into anaphylactic shock. Despite doctors’ efforts to save her, she died on August 20, less than 24 hours later. Paul had recently earned her law degree and was pursuing postgraduate studies in real estate and business law.
In a statement, the hospital expressed its regret over the loss and extended its condolences to Paul’s family. The hospital stated that all procedures followed recommended clinical protocols.
Contrast-enhanced CT scans are often performed with iodinated dye to help doctors capture sharper images of organs and tissues. While the procedure is generally considered safe, in rare cases, the contrast can trigger allergic reactions. According to Mayo Clinic, although rare, medical problems or allergic reactions can happen with contrast material, and severe reactions occur in roughly one in 5,000 to one in 10,000 scans.
Paul’s funeral was held on August 21 in Rio do Sul, followed by cremation in Balneário Camboriú. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with CT scans, and experts advise patients to alert a healthcare professional if they notice a reaction to contrast material.
