Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 661-669

Journal: RöFo: Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren

Volume number: 186

Issue number: 7

ISSN: 1438-9029

eISSN: 1438-9010

Open access status: Bronze

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1356403

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a serious, sometimes fatal disease. Findings in recent years have shown that a causal association between gadolinium containing contrast media and NSF is most likely. Therefore, the regulatory authorities have issued guidelines on the use of gadolinium-containing contrast media which have reduced the number of new cases of NSF to almost zero. However, it is for precisely this reason that the greatest care must still be taken to ensure that these guidelines are complied with. The most important factors are renal function, the quantity of gadolinium administered and coexisting diseases such as inflammation. All of these factors crucially influence the quantity of gadolinium released from the chelat in the body. This free gadolinium is thought to be the trigger for NSF. Other important factors are the stability of the gadolinium complex and furthermore the route of its elimination from the body. Partial elimination via the liver might be an additional protective mechanism. In conclusion, despite the NSF risk, contrast-enhanced MRI is a safe diagnostic procedure which can be used reliably and safely even in patients with severe renal failure, and does not necessarily have to be replaced by other methods.

Harvard Citation style: Heverhagen, J., Krombach, G. and Gizewski, E. (2014) Application of Extracellular Gadolinium-based MRI Contrast Agents and the Risk of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, RöFo: Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren, 186(7), pp. 661-669. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1356403

APA Citation style: Heverhagen, J., Krombach, G., & Gizewski, E. (2014). Application of Extracellular Gadolinium-based MRI Contrast Agents and the Risk of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. RöFo: Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der Röntgenstrahlen und der bildgebenden Verfahren. 186(7), 661-669. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1356403