[Trigger Warning]
34-year-old Leigh Rodgers from Durham, England had a tooth an infection that was inflicting her extreme ache. Unable to e-book a forthcoming dentist appointment, she sought emergency remedy at a neighborhood hospital.
Throughout the delay in remedy, the ache unfold to her neck and chest, prompting docs to suspect she might have been affected by Ludwig’s angina, a life-threatening bacterial an infection that may be brought on by a tooth an infection.
The docs ordered a CT scan, which routinely requires an injection of distinction dye. Ninety minutes later, Rodgers was lifeless resulting from anaphylaxis — a extreme, life-threatening allergic response — regardless of makes an attempt to resuscitate her.
Based on testimony on the inquest into her dying on February 19, 2025, the outcomes from the CT scan confirmed no proof of Ludwig’s angina.
Pam Rodgers, Leigh’s mom, was incensed, lashing out on the well being system:
If she may’ve gotten a dental appointment, she wouldn’t be lifeless. Each time I shut my eyes I think about my daughter within the coffin.
She additionally alleged her daughter had not been briefed in regards to the dangers of distinction media:
I don’t settle for that they [hospital staff] had been too busy. There’s nothing stopping them from handing out a leaflet to elucidate the dangers.
I need to make folks conscious of the dangers of distinction medium and points with the NHS.
Based on Dr Manouchehr Saljoughian, PharmD, PhD, Division of Pharmacy at Alta Bates Summit Medical Middle in Berkeley, California:
Reactions to IV dye are noticed in 5% to eight% of sufferers who obtain them. Gentle reactions embody a sense of heat, nausea, and vomiting. Usually, these signs happen just for a brief time period and don’t require remedy. Average reactions, together with extreme vomiting, hives, and swelling, happen in 1% of sufferers receiving distinction media and steadily require remedy. Extreme, life-threatening reactions, together with anaphylaxis, happen in 0.1% of individuals receiving distinction media, with an anticipated dying charge of 1 particular person in each 75,000.
He additionally offered perception into the dearth of testing for allergy to distinction dye:
Pores and skin testing and RAST (radioallergosorbent check) haven’t been useful within the prognosis of distinction media allergy. Small “check” doses are additionally not useful, with experiences of extreme, life-threatening reactions occurring even at such quantities. Extreme reactions to bigger doses of distinction media have been noticed after an individual tolerated a small dose of IV dye. Due to this fact, the prognosis of distinction media allergy is made solely after signs have occurred. In any other case, it’s only potential to find out that an individual is at elevated threat of a response to distinction media based mostly on the danger elements outlined [in article].
