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