AJR: Adverse reactions from MR gadolinium-based contrast agents are rare

Acute adverse reactions from gadolinium-based contrast agents used during MRI to help improve the information seen on the images rarely occur, according to a study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Since approval of the first gadolinium-based contrast agent the use of contrast agents for MRI has been evolving. “These agents are useful in the diagnosis of several diseases and conditions and are considered generally safe in clinical practice,” said lead author Hani H. Abujudeh, MD.

“However the association between the use of gadolinium-based agents and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) has sparked controversy over the years,” said Abujudeh, who is an assistant radiologist of emergency imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

NSF is a potentially lethal systemic disease that has raised the concern over the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents for imaging of patients with underlying renal impairment. “When prescribing gadolinium-based contrast agents, radiologists need to consider not only the risk of NSF but also the risk of acute adverse reactions,” he said.

The study, performed at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, included a total of 32,659 gadolinium-based contrast injections for MRI exams.

“A total of 51 acute adverse reactions occurred in 50 patients, accounting for 0.16 percent of all administrations,” said Abujudeh. The majority of the reactions that did occur were mild, and included nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. However, six moderate and two severe reactions did occur.

“In our study, acute adverse reactions were rare. However it is still important that radiologists and patients be aware of the risks associated with the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents, especially those associated with NSF,” said Abujudeh.



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