[A case of Iotrolan encephalopathy]

A case of Iotrolan encephalopathy is reported. A 66-year-old woman, suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage, was admitted to our department on January 17th, 1995. After an operation for aneurysmal clipping and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, she was discharged with no neurological deficiency. CT scan revealed ventricular enlargement and slight periventricular lucency. She was re-admitted on January 4th, 1996. She was suffering from nausea, vomiting, right hemiparesis, right hemi-hypesthesia and disturbance of consciousness. CT scan demonstrated right thalamic bleeding and bilateral ventricular hemorrhage. Further ventricular enlargement was also revealed. With medical treatment, her symptoms were relieved gradually. But disorientation and memory disturbance continued. Shuntography with Iotrolan was performed on February 2nd, 1996. The ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was demonstrated to be occluded on the abdominal side. The volume of Iotrolan used was about 8cc. She became very restless on the night of the examination. Her temperature was up to 38. CT on February 4th demonstrated brain penetration of the Iotrolan. Revision of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, administration of steroids and hydration was performed. CSF findings demonstrated no abnormalities. Her symptoms were relieved gradually. Iotrolan is a non-ionic contrast media of dimer type, composed of C37 H48 I6 N6 O18. Its distinctive features are low distributing coefficient and high affinity with water. Contrasting several reports of Metrizamide encephalopathy, only 2 cases of Iotrolan encephalopathy were reported. Iotrolan is reported to be much safer than Metrizamide. We were able to find brain penetration by Iotrolan. It is expected to be a characteristic radiological finding of encephalopathy induced by contrast media. The mechanism of Iotrolan encephalopathy is obscure. Several theories concerning Metrizamide encephalopathy are proposed. These are (1) inhibition of hexokinase, (2) inhibition of acethylcholinesterase, (3) immunological mechanism and (4) vascular disturbance. Iotrolan has no 2-deoxy-glucose structure. The inhibition theory of hexokinase is least expected. Related matters are circulatory disturbance of liquor, dehydration, excessive contrast media, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, epileptic patients and patients taking phenothiazines. Prompt therapy is important. Removal of contrast media, hydration and administration of steroids should be performed as early as possible.