Iodinated Contrast Media Exposure: Is Subsequent Thyroid Monitoring Warranted for Young Pediatric Patients?
In a video interview, Jonathan Dillman, MD, MSc discussed a recently published statement from the American College of Radiology (ACR) that questioned the literature support for a March guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about thyroid monitoring for children three years of age or younger within three weeks of exposure to iodinated contrast media (ICM).
Is exposure to iodinated contrast media (ICM) a potential issue for young pediatric patients? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently advised clinicians to ensure thyroid monitoring for patients three years of age and younger within three weeks after exposure to ICM. However, a recently published statement from the American College of Radiology (ACR) has raised questions about the FDA guidance.
In a recent video interview, Jonathan R. Dillman, M.D., MSc, who co-authored the ACR statement, noted several issues with the 11 studies the FDA used to support the guidance about ICM in young pediatric patients.
In addition to a lack of prospective data and a lack of control groups in most of the studies cited by the FDA, the majority of the studies focused on high-risk pediatric patients such as low birth weight premature babies, neonates and those with congenital heart disease, according to Dr. Dillman, the associate chief of research in the Department of Radiology and the medical director of the Imaging Research Center within the Division of Radiology at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Dr. Dillman said the FDA guidance is too broad and not supported by the current research.
“Wherever the science takes us, that is where we want to go. The science at this time we do not believe calls for universal thyroid monitoring after intravascular CT (computed tomography) in children three months of age and up. … There is really no evidence to support that,” maintained Dr. Dillman, who has served on the ACR’s Drugs and Contrast Committee since 2007.
For more insights from Dr. Dillman, watch the video below:
Newsletter
Stay at the forefront of radiology with the Diagnostic Imaging newsletter, delivering the latest news, clinical insights, and imaging advancements for today’s radiologists.
The Reading Room Podcast: A Closer Look at Remote MRI Safety, Part 2
July 25th 2025In the second of a multi-part podcast episode, Emanuel Kanal, M.D. and Tobias Gilk, MRSO, MRSE, share their perspectives on remote MRI safety protocols for ensuring screening accuracy and adherence to conditional implant guidelines as well as a rapid and effective response to adverse events.
Chest CT for Post-COVID-19 Abnormalities: Nine Takeaways from a Multi-Society Consensus Statement
July 22nd 2025Developed by 21 thoracic radiologists, the new international consensus statement addresses appropriate indications, scan acquisition and keys to reporting for the use of chest CT imaging in evaluating for residual lung abnormalities from COVID-19.
The Reading Room Podcast: Current and Emerging Insights on Abbreviated Breast MRI, Part 2
July 23rd 2025In the second part of a multi-part podcast episode, Stamatia Destounis, MD, Emily Conant, MD and Habib Rahbar, MD, discuss key sequences for abbreviated breast MRI and how it stacks up to other breast cancer screening modalities.
