Young Law Graduate, 22, Dies After Severe Allergic Reaction to CT Scan Dye in Brazil

Leticia Paul passed away during a medical checkup

A 22-year-old law graduate has tragically died after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a contrast dye used during a CT scan in Brazil.

Leticia Paul was undergoing a routine check-up for kidney stones at Alto Vale Hospital in Rio do Sul when she experienced a serious reaction to the iodinated contrast agent, which is commonly used in CT and MRI scans to make organs and tissues more visible. Despite immediate medical attention, she did not survive.

Leticia had recently earned her law degree and was pursuing postgraduate studies in Law and Real Estate Business. She was described by her family as ambitious, dedicated, and full of life. Her aunt, Sandra Paul, remembered her as “a vibrant girl, with a lot of personality. She loved law, she was so studious. She dreamed big, and I’m sure she would be a well-known name in the legal world.”

The young law graduate reportedly went into anaphylactic shock after receiving a contrast agent

Her funeral took place on Thursday at Casa Mortuária Jardim Primavera in Rio do Sul before she was transported to Crematório Vaticano in Balneário Camboriú.

In a statement, Alto Vale Hospital expressed condolences: “We regret this loss and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family. We reaffirm our commitment to ethics, transparency, and patient safety, emphasising that all procedures are conducted in accordance with recommended clinical protocols.”

Iodinated contrast is widely used in medical imaging and is generally considered safe, though rare cases can trigger life-threatening reactions. Severe allergic responses are estimated to occur in roughly one in 5,000 to one in 10,000 scans. While most patients only experience mild side effects such as nausea, warmth, or itching, some can face life-threatening complications despite emergency care.

Hospital Regional Alto Vale where the young law graduate died

Leticia’s death follows another recent tragedy in the UK, where 66-year-old Yvonne Graham died after suffering a suspected allergic reaction to contrast dye during a CT scan at Northampton General Hospital. Her family believes her underlying kidney disease made her particularly vulnerable and that life-saving intervention could have been possible if an EpiPen had been available at the time.

Medical experts advise patients with kidney or thyroid conditions to alert healthcare providers before undergoing scans involving contrast dye. While complications are rare, allergic reactions remain a known risk in diagnostic imaging.