This Article Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lisle, D. Articles by Cherian, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lisle, D. Articles by Cherian, S.

Bacterial contamination of contrast media stored after opening

D. Lisle, MB, BS ^* J. F. Ratcliffe, FRCS, FRCR ^*, J. Faoagali, FRCPA and S. Cherian, MB, BS

^* Department of Radiology, Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Department of Radiology, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia Department of Microbiology, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland, Australia

A barium suspension, iohexol, iopamidol and ioxaglate which were diluted with tapwater and 0.9% NaCl and dextrose saline (4% and 0.18%) were made into aliquots of 10 ml and stored at 4°C, room temperature and 37°C for 8 weeks. Regular handling and bacterial cultures were performed. These studies confirmed that environmental organisms do contaminate these solutions and that they also support viable organisms, but do not become significantly colonized at room temperature or 4°C. The solutions should be stored at room temperature or at 4°C. The diluted barium solution was the contrast medium least contaminated and if it is not contra-indicated for other reasons should be used in preference to low osmolality water soluble contrast media on the basis of its cost, radiological contrast and low microbial contamination rate.

Received for publication September 1, 1989. Revision received January 1, 1990.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. Buerke, A. Mellmann, C. Stehling, J. Wessling, W. Heindel, and K. U. Juergens Microbiologic Contamination of Automatic Injectors at MDCT: Experimental and Clinical Investigations Am. J. Roentgenol., December 1, 2008; 191(6): W283 - W287. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]