Ethiodized oil

Ethiodized oil is a type of contrast agent used in radiology to enhance the visibility of structures or fluids within the body. It is also known as iodized oil.

Composition

Ethiodized oil is composed of iodine compounds. The iodine in ethiodized oil is organically bound and is used primarily as a contrast medium in radiography. It is a poppyseed oil containing 37% organically combined iodine and has a viscosity nearly twice that of water.

Uses

Ethiodized oil is used in a variety of medical procedures, including:

• Hysterosalpingography: This is a type of X-ray used to examine a woman's uterus and fallopian tubes. Ethiodized oil is used as a contrast medium to make the structures more visible on the X-ray.
• Lymphangiography: This is a medical imaging technique in which ethiodized oil is injected into the lymphatic system to visualize the lymph vessels and nodes.
• Chemoembolization: In this procedure, ethiodized oil is mixed with chemotherapy drugs and injected into the blood vessels that feed a tumor. The oil helps to slow the release of the drugs, allowing them to act longer on the tumor.

Side Effects

Like all medical procedures, the use of ethiodized oil can have side effects. These can include:

• Allergic reaction: Some people may have an allergic reaction to the iodine in ethiodized oil. This can cause symptoms such as rash, itching, or difficulty breathing.
• Infection: There is a small risk of infection whenever a needle is used to inject a substance into the body.
• Pain: Some people may experience pain at the injection site.

See Also

• Contrast agent
• Radiology
• Iodine

Ethiodized oil Resources
Need Help Finding a Doctor? WikiMD's DocFinder can help find general and specialist physicians.	Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials.