| Gadolinium MRI and risk factors for the debilitating | | | | the patient's internal organs, tissues, bones and |
| disease nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) are | | | | vessels. MRI with gadolinium is used because it |
| currently being investigated by the Food and Drug | | | | provides additional diagnostic information |
| Administration (FDA). An MRI with gadolinium is a | | | | compared to an MRI without contrast. The |
| type of MRI that uses a contrast agent with | | | | Gadolinium for MRI agent is also referred to as |
| special magnetic properties to help increase the | | | | gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA). Five |
| visibility of organs and tissues. Since its approval in | | | | GBCAs are approved for magnetic resonance |
| 1988, MRI with gadolinium has been administered | | | | imaging in the United States: Magnevist, |
| to millions of patients. | | | | MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, and ProHance. |
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic | | | | Evidence has been increasing regarding the risk of |
| study that has been used since the 1980's. An | | | | nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients |
| MRI uses strong magnets and radio waves to | | | | with severe kidney problems who receive |
| create computer generated three-dimensional | | | | gadolinium during an MRI procedure. Nephrogenic |
| images of the body. When an MRI study is | | | | systemic fibrosis appears to occur in patients with |
| performed, radio waves are pulsed through the | | | | kidney failure. Patients with kidney disease or on |
| patient's body causing movement in hydrogen | | | | kidney dialysis are at increased risk because |
| atoms in the body's cells. Different parts of the | | | | gadolinium is primarily eliminated by the body |
| body react to the radio waves with predictable | | | | through the kidneys. |
| patterns. These patterns are displayed as | | | | Recent studies have shown an association |
| three-dimensional pictures on a computer screen. | | | | between NSF and patients with kidney disease |
| A gadolinium MRI is a special type of study where | | | | that have a gadolinium MRI. Unfortunately, there |
| the patient is injected with gadolinium. For MRI | | | | has been little research or clinical trials that have |
| studies using gadolinium the procedure usually | | | | studied patients with kidney problems and |
| involves two MRIs. The first MRI is administered | | | | gadolinium contrast agents. NSF causes fibrosis of |
| to get a baseline study. The second study | | | | the skin and connective tissues throughout the |
| involves injecting the patient with gadolinium and | | | | body. The patient's skin thickens leading to a loss |
| then taking a second MRI. Gadolinium is a naturally | | | | of mobility and in some cases causing death. |
| occurring metallic element that has special | | | | There is no known treatment or cure for NSF. |
| magnetic properties. Gadolinium gives the treating | | | | NSF has only been reported in patients with |
| physician and radiologist a more detailed picture of | | | | severe renal dysfunction (kidney disease). |