Knee arthrography: a comparison of iohexol, ioxaglate sodium meglumine, and metrizoate.

The arthrographic image quality and relative morbidity resulting from use of Omnipaque 300 (iohexol), Hexabrix 320 (ioxaglate sodium meglumine), and Isopaque Coronar 370 (metrizoate) were compared in a prospective double-blind study performed with 120 patients. Radiographs obtained 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 minutes after injection were judged for diagnostic quality. Relative morbidity was evaluated by the physician during the examination and later by the patient via a questionnaire. Hexabrix demonstrated the best and most persistent diagnostic quality over serial radiographs (P less than .05). Omnipaque caused significantly less postprocedural pain (P less than .05). The other types of discomfort measured did not indicate statistically significant differences in morbidity resulting from the three contrast agents.