Gadolinium News
Medical Minute: MRI myths and misconceptions
-Penn State Live
03/19/2008 - Since its development in the mid 1970s, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, has grown into a mainstream diagnostic imaging tool used in a wide variety of conditions. The unique ability of MRI to demonstrate the anatomy, and more recently the function of soft tissues in the body, continues to find new application in patient care. It is not surprising, given the widespread application of MRI, that the occasional myth should find its way into the latest TV medical drama, Web page or even physician/patient discussions. The following are several of the more common myths.
Myth: The MRI contrast agent will damage my kidneys.
Reality: Some, but certainly not all, MRI examinations may require the injection of a contrast agent to allow the radiologist to make a better diagnosis. Over the 20 years that MRI contrast has been used, it has been a very safe drug with a very low incidence of side effects. Compared to iodinated contrast agents used in some X-ray studies and CT, MRI contrast is less toxic to the kidneys and can be safely given to nearly all patients. While MRI contrast agents alone are considered safe and do not pose a serious risk of kidney damage, they can cause problems when given to patients that already have problems with their kidneys.
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of a condition called nephrogenic sclerosing fibrosis or NSF that is related to exposure to MRI contrast agents. NSF is a rare condition in which patients develop swelling, and thickening of the skin that can progress to fibrosis where the skin feels “woody” and mobility is limited. There is evidence that this condition can occur when patients with pre-existing problems with their kidneys received MRI contrast agents that contain gadolinium. In particular, patients with severe kidney problems requiring dialysis are at risk if they receive MRI contrast agents. Although the cause of NSF remains to be determined, it is thought that it may be related to the limited ability of the damaged kidneys to remove the contrast agent from the blood, allowing gadolinium to accumulate in the skin.
If you are a patient with kidney problems and require an MRI examination, it is important that you discuss this with your physician and the MRI technologist performing your scan. It may be possible to modify the MRI study so that the necessary diagnostic information can be obtained without giving you contrast. If contrast is necessary, the type and amount of contrast may need to be adjusted.
It is important to coordinate your MRI study with your dialysis schedule to reduce the risk of NSF. Additional information can be found at the official NSF Web site, http://www.icnfdr.org. (Info from Cowper SE. Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy [NFD/NSF Website]. 2001-2007. Accessed 03/03/2008.)
If you or a loved one have experienced Gadolinium side effects you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Gadolinium attorneys of Ennis & Ennis today for a free confidential case evaluation. Our on staff nurse and lawyers are standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding Gadolinium side effects, a possible Gadolinium class action lawsuit, or any other type of Gadolinium litigation.
