HYTRAST: A NEW CONTRAST MEDIUM FOR BRONCHOGRAPHY

In 1962 Hytrast, an aqueous suspension containing 50% w/v of combined iodine as a mixture of N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-3,5-diiodopyridone-4 and 3,5-diiodopyridone-4, was introduced as a contrast medium for bronchography. Extensive clinical trials had suggested that this agent was superior to products usually employed for this purpose. At the Nova Scotia Sanatorium, Hytrast was used as a bronchographic contrast medium in 31 consecutive cases. For comparison purposes, the records of the first 50 patients in whom another contrast medium, Dionosil Oily, was used were reviewed. In all cases the contrast medium was introduced through a catheter passed into the bronchus with the aid of a laryngeal mirror, after local anesthesia was induced by pontocaine 2%. Experience in this limited number of cases was at variance with most published results. Hytrast was more irritating than Dionosil Oily, had a greater tendency to produce alveolarization, caused more frequent undesirable sequelae, and was retained in the lung for prolonged periods.