22-Year-Old Lawyer Dies After Routine CT Scan Triggers Fatal Allergic Reaction

A young Brazilian lawyer’s future was cut short after a routine medical procedure turned deadly, raising urgent questions about patient safety and rare allergic risks tied to common scans.

Letícia Paul, 22, had just graduated with a law degree and was pursuing postgraduate studies in real estate and business law. Friends describe her as “driven, vibrant, and full of life.”

“She had so many plans,” said family friend Mariana Souza. “Nobody could have imagined a simple scan would be the end.”

On August 20, Paul visited Hospital Regional Alto Vale in Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, for a CT scan related to a history of kidney stones. Doctors administered an iodinated contrast dye — a standard step to sharpen internal images. Moments later, Paul went into anaphylactic shock, a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction.

According to hospital officials, Paul was immediately intubated and moved into intensive care. Despite rapid intervention, she died less than 24 hours later.

In a statement, the hospital said it “deeply regrets the loss and extends its condolences to the family,” adding that “all procedures followed established clinical protocols.”

Paul’s funeral took place on August 21 in Rio do Sul, followed by a private cremation in Balneário Camboriú.

CT scans are among the most common medical procedures worldwide. In the U.S. alone, roughly 93 million scans are performed on 62 million patients every year.

While contrast dyes are generally considered safe, experts warn that severe allergic reactions can still happen.

“Most reactions are mild — things like rashes or itching,” the Mayo Clinic explains. “But in rare cases, the reaction can be serious, even life-threatening.”

Studies show that severe anaphylaxis occurs in roughly 1 in every 5,000 to 10,000 contrast-enhanced scans.

Dr. Andrew Morris, an emergency medicine specialist in Boston, told us, “Hospitals are trained to manage these crises, but sometimes the body’s response is so extreme, even immediate treatment isn’t enough.”

Medical experts urge patients to always inform healthcare providers about allergies and prior reactions to contrast dyes. While there’s no way to predict every reaction, pre-screening and precautionary measures can reduce risks.

Paul’s death has left her family shattered — and sparked conversations across Brazil about improving safety protocols and patient awareness.

“She walked into the hospital healthy and happy,” Souza said. “She never came out. We don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”