Iohexol and meglumine iothalamate in shoulder arthrography. A double-blind investigation.

The first clinical experience with the new contrast medium, iohexol, in shoulder arthrography is reported. A double-blind comparison of iohexol and meglumine iothalamate, a conventional medium in standard use for arthrography, was carried out in a consecutive series of 60 adult patients forming two groups of 30 subjects each. No difference in the radiographic quality was seen immediately after contrast injection but in exposures at 20 min iohexol gave a significantly better arthrographic quality. Practically no adverse effects occurred during the examinations. Although minor side effects were numerous in both groups during the two days following arthrography, they were somewhat more frequent in patients given iothalamate.