[Contrast medium nephropathy--a contribution to the reduction of examination risks]

The radiologist is rarely directly confronted with contrast medium-induced renal impairment or even renal failure. In contrast to allergic side effects, the disorders do not become apparent until a few days after the investigation. The relevance of "contrast-medium nephropathy" should not, however, be underestimated: prior contrast medium injections are the initial cause of at least 10% of all cases of acute renal failure. The risk associated with such an investigation can be reduced if the risk factors are known, the patient receives an affective premedication in preparation for the investigation, and if preference is given to non-ionic contrast media.