X-ray dye... is it dangerous???

I had my gall bladder removed and a surgical drain put in.. still had a lot of leakage through my drain, so my surgeon sent me to a specialist. Specialist sent me to a big hospital to have a test done through my drainage tube, which he thought was connected to my bile ducts, but was not (didn't read my charts well). Radiologist took an xray of my abdomen before he performed procedure, noticed it wasn't the right tube, but did the procedure anyway. My abdomen was filled with xray dye and saline. Was hospitalized 5 days for fluid in my abdomen and infection. Does anyone know of any long term problems this could have on me?

the dye used on you was called gastrographin which is water soluable. this type of procedure is done all the time. it is designed for your type of problem...to check the "patency" of your "t" tube...it's called a cholangiogram...ie: to see if your drainage tube is clogged, ruptured...gastrographin would be absorbed by your body and excreted through the kidneys.

issue 1. i guarantee that the radiologist didn't "read the chart wrong" or performed the test even though he knew the tube was in the wrong place...you can prove that and you got a major malpractice suit....throw me some papers from the millions you'll get.

issue 2. the infection you got is not a result of the dye and certainly not from the saline...because like i said before water is absorbed by your tissues and you pee it out.

now, if the doctor used ionized contrast dye plus all the above factors...you'll get to rename the hospital.

none what so ever drink plenty of fluids to flush out your system that is all you need

scars

Don't worry. You would have known almost immediately if you'd experienced a severe allergic reaction or kidney failure, the two biggest concerns when using iodinated contrast. This "dye" or contrast is eliminated almost immediately by your kidneys. If you are diabetic, and taking glucophage or metformin, or if you have multiple myeloma or lupus, then check with your doctor. Otherwise, relax.