A routine medical procedure turned deadly when a 22-year-old lawyer in Brazil suffered a severe allergic reaction during a CT scan and died within 24 hours.
According to reports from G1, Agência Globo, and Oeste SC Notícias, Leticia Paul experienced anaphylactic shock after receiving a contrast agent at Alto Vale Regional Hospital in Rio do Sul on August 20.
Medical personnel immediately intubated Paul and attempted life-saving interventions. Despite their efforts, she died the following day. Paul was a resident of Lontras and was undergoing a routine exam due to a history of kidney stones, her aunt, Sandra Paul, told G1.
Anaphylactic shock is described by Johns Hopkins Medicine as a sudden, severe, and life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms can include airway constriction, throat swelling, difficulty breathing, and a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Paul had recently earned her law degree and was pursuing postgraduate studies in both law and real estate, Oeste SC Notícias reported. Her aunt described her as ambitious and deeply committed to her studies.
“She loved law, she was so studious,” Sandra Paul said. “She dreamed big, and I’m sure she would be a well-known name in the legal world.”
In a translated statement provided to local media, Alto Vale Regional Hospital expressed condolences and emphasized its commitment to safety:
“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.
