Severe adverse reactions with contrast agents for magnetic resonance: clinical experience in 30,000 MR examinations

Abstract

We report on the frequency, manifestations and reactions to gadolinium contrast media in patients who underwent MR imaging at our institution between 1988 and 1998. During a 10-year period 30,000 patients received an intravenous injection of 0.1 mmol/kg gadoterate meglumine or gadopentetate dimeglumine for an MRI examination. When a reaction occurred a written report was made (the events were categorized into mild, moderate, and severe). In the period of 10 years we obtained three reports of moderate or severe reactions to the administration of gadolinium. This paper discusses the safety issues of intravenous contrast media in MR imaging, focusing on two gadolinium complexes, gadoterate meglumine, gadopentetate dimeglumine.