| When it comes to obtaining an MRI, it is important for | | | | issues. |
| medical professionals to get the clearest image | | | | What Health Issues Can Result from a Gadolinium |
| possible. By obtaining a clear and crisp picture, the | | | | MRI? |
| medical professional is better capable of making a | | | | For those with kidney disease, a gadolinium MRI can |
| diagnosis and treating his or her patients. In order to | | | | result in Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, which is a rare |
| create clearer images, researchers are continually | | | | condition that involves the internal organs, eyes, joints |
| looking for new techniques and technology that can aid | | | | and skin. Patients with the disease develop hardened |
| with MRI imaging. As a result, the gadolinium MRI | | | | skin containing fibrotic plaques and nodules in the |
| technique was developed. While this resulted in clearer | | | | affected areas. This ultimately results in a limited range |
| images, it also resulted in some very serious side | | | | of motion and can lead to renal failure and other |
| effects for some patients. | | | | serious complications. Many people suffering from |
| What is a Gadolinium MRI? | | | | Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis also develop other |
| A gadolinium MRI is an MRI scan that involves using | | | | complications, such as hepatitis C, after taking |
| the chemical gadolinium as a contrast agent. A | | | | immunosuppressive medications. |
| contrast agent helps to increase the contrast in the | | | | What Contrasting Agents are Used in a Gadolinium |
| colors shown with an MRI, which makes it easier for | | | | MRI? |
| the medical professional to identify potentially | | | | There are actually several different contrasting agents |
| problematic areas. Gadolinium is able to create a | | | | that utilize gadolinium, four of which have been linked to |
| better contrast by causing the water around it to relax | | | | cases of Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. These include: |
| quickly, which results in a higher quality scan. | | | | - Magnevist |
| Why is a Gadolinium MRI Potentially Dangerous? | | | | - Multihance |
| Gadolinium is not necessarily dangerous for all patients, | | | | - Omniscan |
| but certain patients are at a greater risk of negative | | | | - OptiMARK |
| side effects than others. For example, patients with | | | | Despite the lawsuits that have been filed and the |
| kidney disease are at a particularly high risk of | | | | potential dangers associated with having a gadolinium |
| complications when gadolinium is used for an MRI scan. | | | | MRI, the chemical is still used by medical professionals |
| This is because the chemical is meant to pass through | | | | when getting an MRI scan. Therefore, if you are |
| the body, but patients with kidney disease are not able | | | | scheduled to get an MRI, be certain to discuss the |
| to remove the chemical quickly. As a result, it | | | | procedure with your doctor and make certain |
| becomes unbound and can lead to serious health | | | | gadolinium is not going to be used with your scan. |