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Review
. 2022 May 1;49(3):e217680.
doi: 10.14503/THIJ-21-7680.

Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents: Updates and Answers to Typical Questions Regarding Gadolinium Use

Benjamin Y C Cheong  1   2 , James M Wilson  3 , Ourania A Preventza  4   5 , Raja Muthupillai  2   6
Affiliations
Review

Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents: Updates and Answers to Typical Questions Regarding Gadolinium Use

Benjamin Y C Cheong et al. Tex Heart Inst J. .

Abstract

Gadolinium-based contrast agents have expanded the diagnostic usefulness and capability of magnetic resonance imaging. Despite their highly favorable safety profile, these agents have been associated with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in a small number of patients who have advanced kidney disease. Recently, trace amounts of gadolinium deposition in the brain and other organs have been reported after contrast exposure, even in patients with normal renal function. In this review, we provide a brief overview of recent updates and discuss typical clinical situations related to the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury/complications; gadolinium/administration & dosage/adverse effects; image enhancement/methods; kidney failure, chronic/complications; kidney/diagnostic imaging; magnetic resonance imaging; nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy/chemically induced/prevention & control; practice guidelines as topic; renal dialysis; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

Funding/support: This study received no funding, and the authors have no disclosures to report.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart shows an overview of GBCA administration. eGFR = estimated glomerular filtration rate; GBCA = gadolinium-based contrast agent; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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