While MRI can create very detailed images on their own, it is a common practice to make use of contrast agents. This is done to enhance the images of organs and soft tissue after an MRI scanning or to make tissue matter that is hard to detect easier to see. Contrast agents react strongly to magnetic fields better than the hydrogen atoms from the water molecules in your body. The most common contrast agent uses gadolinium.
Gadolinium is a metallic element (atomic number 64.) In its natural form, it is a silvery, ductile material. Gadolinium exhibits very strong paramagnetic properties. If a metal is paramagnetic, it does not have any magnetization on its own. However, in an externally applied magnetic field, it has the ability to align its magnetic moments of the molecules parallel to it. Because of how easily gadolinium is influenced by magnetic fields (relative to other elements), it is widely used as a contrast agent.
As an ion, gadolinium can be highly dangerous to people. To make it safe to use for medical applications, it undergoes a process known as chelation. This will create a bond to a gadolinium atom with other non-metallic compounds. Some contrast agents that have been approved by the FDA include Magnevist, OptiMARK and Vasovist.
As far as safety goes, there is no need for concern in most cases. For healthy individuals – more specifically, for people with no kidney problems – the concentrations used in the contrast agents are too low to cause any MRI side effects. On the other hand, those with renal failure and damaged kidneys do have to worry about possible side effects of gadolinium.
If you suffer from renal failure, then the following information is very important for your safety.
The main cause for concern is a disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, or NSF for short. While the exact cause of NSF is still unclear, it has been shown that gadolinium does promote this disease. People with a working pair of kidneys are able to eliminate the gadolinium contrast agent from the body in time. Those with renal failure that cannot pump the gadolinium out of their system are at risk of becoming afflicted with this disease.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis causes fibrosis throughout the body, which is the growth of extra connective tissue in the organs, skin and joints. As a result, the skin will become hard and feel tight and your joints will be limited and motion and painful to move. If it affects the internal organs as well, it can be very fatal.
Always consult your radiologist about the risks involved and be sure that any kidney problems you might have are clearly recognized before going through with a contrast agent to prevent the side effects of gadolinium.
Gadolinium is a metallic element (atomic number 64.) In its natural form, it is a silvery, ductile material. Gadolinium exhibits very strong paramagnetic properties. If a metal is paramagnetic, it does not have any magnetization on its own. However, in an externally applied magnetic field, it has the ability to align its magnetic moments of the molecules parallel to it. Because of how easily gadolinium is influenced by magnetic fields (relative to other elements), it is widely used as a contrast agent.
As an ion, gadolinium can be highly dangerous to people. To make it safe to use for medical applications, it undergoes a process known as chelation. This will create a bond to a gadolinium atom with other non-metallic compounds. Some contrast agents that have been approved by the FDA include Magnevist, OptiMARK and Vasovist.
As far as safety goes, there is no need for concern in most cases. For healthy individuals – more specifically, for people with no kidney problems – the concentrations used in the contrast agents are too low to cause any MRI side effects. On the other hand, those with renal failure and damaged kidneys do have to worry about possible side effects of gadolinium.
If you suffer from renal failure, then the following information is very important for your safety.
The main cause for concern is a disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, or NSF for short. While the exact cause of NSF is still unclear, it has been shown that gadolinium does promote this disease. People with a working pair of kidneys are able to eliminate the gadolinium contrast agent from the body in time. Those with renal failure that cannot pump the gadolinium out of their system are at risk of becoming afflicted with this disease.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis causes fibrosis throughout the body, which is the growth of extra connective tissue in the organs, skin and joints. As a result, the skin will become hard and feel tight and your joints will be limited and motion and painful to move. If it affects the internal organs as well, it can be very fatal.
Always consult your radiologist about the risks involved and be sure that any kidney problems you might have are clearly recognized before going through with a contrast agent to prevent the side effects of gadolinium.
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