Imaging the Pediatric Patient: Contrast Agent Safety

CD and DVD Set

Mervyn D. Cohen, MD

Original Release: 12/2008

Expiration: 12/31/2012

Target Audience

An accredited lecture for radiologists, radiologic technologists, nephrologists, referring physicians, and primary care physicians involved in the management and treatment of pediatric patients.

Overview

Advances in CT and MRI technology are having a profound impact on imaging children. The frequency of contrast-enhanced examinations is increasing at a steady rate in the United States. Children have different physiology and tolerance of osmotic loads from IV contrast injection. Minor complications such as local pain, nausea and vomiting, are more important in children. The incidence and nature of adverse reactions to contrast is different in children.

This program will include a discussion of adverse events that can follow contrast administration and current recommendations regarding contrast utilization. The identification of patient risk factors, the prevention of toxicity, the assessment of renal function and the recently recognized complications of gadolinium causing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) will be included. Current recommendations regarding the safe use of contrast agents during pregnancy and breast feeding will be summarized.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be more confident to:

• Describe the characteristics of contrast agents and their clinical application in children
• Evaluate the risk of contrast toxicity in pediatric patients
• Develop strategies to minimize side effects in pediatric patients
• Define the risk factors for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis

How to Participate

Group Study
The DVD is a continuous run video format designed for group study on a television monitor. The lecture can be stopped and restarted by the group proctor as necessary.

Interactive CD-ROM
The interactive CD-ROM contains extended features designed for viewing on a computer. Participants can access chapters, frame advance through movie loops, and view all image labeling at their own pace. A printable workbook and posttest are included.

Educational Credit

Physicians
International Center for Postgraduate Medical Education (ICPME) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

ICPME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Radiologic Technologists
This program has been approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) for 1.5 hours of ARRT Category A continuing education credit.

Equipment Requirements for Interactive CD-ROM

Monitor: 800x600 resolution at 256 colors; two-speed (2x) CD-ROM; 8-bit sound card.
PC: Windows 2000/XP; Pentium processor; 128 MB RAM.
MAC: OS 10.3 or 10.4.x; G4 processor; 128 MB RAM.

Equipment Requirements for DVD

Television monitor; DVD player. The DVD is not designed for computer viewing.

Equipment Requirements for Online Course

PC: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Pentium processor or faster, at least 256 MB RAM, Internet Explorer version 6 and 7, Mozilla Firefox version 2.0 or later

Mac: OS version 10.3.x or version 10.4.x, G4 processor or faster, at least 256 MB RAM, Safari version 1.3.2 or later

Sponsored by