Cytogenetic effects of contrast material in patients undergoing excretory urography.

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Abstract
Acentric chromosome fragments produced in cells by irradiation or other agents give rise to micronuclei in daughter cells. The micronuclei are easily counted in large numbers of cells providing a sensitive measure of chromosome aberrations. Contrast material apparently enhances the radiation-induced yield of micronuclei in vitro. This may be due to the dose enhancement effect and the chemical action of contrast media or their derivatives. Micronuclei were scored in peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from 26 patients before and after excretory urography (ExU). A consistent and significant increase in the counts occurred after ExU amounting to about 1/3 of the counts in blood samples before the examination. Radiation exposures in this group were measured and estimated an average exposure to the circulating lymphocytes of about 0.2 R (0.52 .times. 10-4 C[Curie]/kg). The contrast medium apparently contributed significantly to the increase in micronuclei.