Time Dependence of Iopamidol and Iodixanol in Arthrography of the Knee

PURPOSE: The safety and diagnostic efficacy of iodixanol (Visipaque) 270 mg I/ml was compared to that of iopamidol (Iopamiron) 300 mg I/ml in knee arthrography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This trial was a bi-center double-blind trial including 128 patients (iodixanol/iopamidol 64/64 patients). Efficacy was evaluated by blinded grading of the diagnostic quality of the p.a. images taken 0, 12 and 25 min after contrast administration by the examining radiologist and later at a consensus evaluation by two experienced skeletal radiologists. Adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: No patient experienced any adverse event. The proportion of better images at both 12 and 25 min after injection was higher in the iodixanol group compared to the iopamidol group both by the examining radiologist and at the consensus evaluation. CONCLUSION: In the knee joint iodixanol is a safe contrast medium. The contrast effect of iodixanol lasted longer than that of iopamidol, which can be important when performing arthrography, especially CT arthrography, where the time between puncture and examination can be prolonged.