The determination of commonly used iodinated contrast media in postmortem samples using HPLC and TLC

A rapid micro method is described for the determination of diatrizoic, iothalamic, ioxaglic, and iopanoic acids in postmortem liver and blood. The compounds were extracted with methanol and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography using a C18 column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol:PIC A with ultraviolet detection at 232 and 242 nm. Recoveries of about 85% were obtained. A thin layer chromatographic system is described which separates the four compounds. The spots were hydrolyzed and sprayed with a diazonium coupling reagent to produce colored spots with sensitivities of 0.02 to 0.1 micrograms. Postmortem levels are given for two deaths involving diatrizoic acid.