Had my MRI today for the dementia. Had an awful reaction to the infusion injection.

[mitch96]

16. It's not iodine, It's a heavy rare earth metal called Gadolinium

From the internets...
Gadolinium is a chemical element, specifically a rare earth metal, with the symbol Gd and atomic number 64. It is primarily known for its use as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Due to its paramagnetic properties, gadolinium enhances the contrast between different tissues in MRI scans, aiding in the diagnosis of various medical conditions. While generally safe, gadolinium-based contrast agents can cause some side effects and have been linked to rare but serious conditions like nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. What is Gadolinium?
Gadolinium is a silvery-white, malleable, and ductile rare earth metal.
It's not found as a free element in nature but is present in minerals like monazite and bastnaesite.
It's used in various applications, including MRI contrast agents, alloys for high-temperature and corrosion resistance, and in nuclear reactors.
2. Gadolinium in MRI:
Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are used to improve the visibility of tissues and organs during MRI scans.
They work by enhancing the signal intensity of water molecules, creating a clearer image.
Free gadolinium ions are toxic, so they are always administered in a chelated form, meaning they are bound to a carrier molecule (a chelate) to reduce toxicity and promote excretion.
Despite chelation, gadolinium can be retained in the body, particularly in the brain, bone, and skin, even in individuals with normal kidney function.
3. Safety and Side Effects:
GBCAs are generally considered safe, with a lower rate of acute side effects compared to iodine-based contrast agents.
Common side effects include headache, nausea, dizziness, and injection site reactions.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a rare but serious condition that can occur in individuals with impaired kidney function.
The FDA has issued warnings about GBCAs and requires patient medication guides and further safety studies.
4. Potential Risks and Research:
While GBCAs are designed to be eliminated from the body through the kidneys, research has shown that they can break down, leading to gadolinium retention.
Gadolinium deposition in the brain and other organs has been observed in some patients, raising concerns about potential long-term effects.
Ongoing research is focused on understanding the long-term effects of gadolinium deposition and developing safer contrast agents.
In summary: Gadolinium is a vital element in MRI, enhancing the clarity of images and aiding in medical diagnoses. While generally safe, potential risks associated with gadolinium retention and NSF have led to increased awareness and ongoing research to improve safety and develop new contrast agents.
Gadolinium Contrast Medium (MRI Contrast agents)
InsideRadiology Jul 26, 2017