Renal safety in pediatric imaging: randomized, double-blind phase IV clinical trial of iobitridol 300 versus iodixanol 270 in multidetector CT

BACKGROUND: It is debated whether iso-osmolar and low-osmolar contrast media are associated with different incidences of contrast medium-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal insufficiency. OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of CIN in children undergoing contrast-enhanced multidetector computer tomography (MDCT) with intravenous injection of low-osmolar (iobitridol, Xenetix® 300) or an iso-osmolar (iodixanol, Visipaque® 270) iodinated contrast medium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty-six children with normal renal function were included in this multicenter trial and underwent contrast-enhanced MDCT. The primary endpoint was the relative change in creatinine clearance from 48 h pre- to 72 h postcontrast medium administration using a noninferiority analysis in the intent-to-treat (ITT, n = 128) and per protocol (n = 68) populations. Secondary endpoints were incidence of CIN, global image quality, diagnostic efficacy and clinical safety. RESULTS: In the ITT population, the noninferiority of iobitridol over iodixanol was demonstrated. CIN incidence was 4.8% (three cases) with iobitridol and 10.6% (seven cases) with iodixanol (not significant). No statistically significant differences were observed for the secondary endpoints. CONCLUSION: Comparable satisfactory safety profiles were confirmed for both contrast media, with no significant difference in the incidence of CIN in children with normal renal function.