Renal failure and upper urinary tract obstruction after retrograde pyelography with potassium bromide solution

Two iodine-sensitive women in whom potassium bromide solution was used as a radiocontrast agent for retrograde pyelography developed similar clinical conditions culminating in renal failure. Renal failure was due to upper urinary tract obstruction from fibrosis and fat necrosis in each case. Similar histological findings have been described in rabbit bladder exposed to sodium bromide solution. Different patterns of exposure corresponded with different sites of major damage in the two cases. One patient, who had repeated studies of the pelvicalyceal system with potassium bromide developed papillary necrosis. Systemic exposure to bromide-releasing compounds (in animals) and to bromides (in humans) has also been associated with papillary necrosis.