A routine medical examination turned fatal for a 22-year-old lawyer in Brazil, who died after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a contrast agent used during a CT scan.
Leticia Paul, from Lontras, Santa Catarina, experienced anaphylactic shock on August 20 at Alto Vale Regional Hospital in Rio do Sul, according to local media reports including G1, Agência Globo, and Oeste SC Notícias.
Medical staff immediately intubated her and attempted life-saving interventions. Despite their efforts, Paul died less than 24 hours later.
Her aunt, Sandra Paul, told G1 that the young lawyer had been undergoing a routine checkup because of a history of kidney stones. “She loved law, she was so studious,” her aunt said. “She dreamed big, and I’m sure she would be a well-known name in the legal world.”
Anaphylactic shock is described by Johns Hopkins Medicine as a sudden, severe, and potentially fatal allergic reaction. It can cause airway constriction, throat swelling, low blood pressure, and difficulty breathing.
Paul had recently graduated in law and was pursuing postgraduate studies in both law and real estate, Oeste SC Notícias reported.
In a statement, Alto Vale Regional Hospital expressed condolences and reaffirmed its adherence to medical safety protocols. “We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ethics, transparency and healthcare safety, highlighting that all procedures are conducted in accordance with recommended clinical protocols,” the hospital said.
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