Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents: Gadolinium Deposition Disease
We are not accepting new cases at this time.
Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents (GBCAs) are substances that are injected into patients during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) in order to produce clearer radiology images. However, as explained below, unfortunately some patients have experienced gadolinium side effects after these contrast agents were used for MRIs and MRAs.
In addition, sometimes a gadolinium contrast agent is used for a CT scan, also known as computed tomography scan — and formerly known as a computerized axial tomography scan or CAT scan.
There are two types of GBCAs: linear and macrocyclic. The macrocyclic GBCAs are generally regarded as “safer” than the linear GBCAs, as the structure makes it more difficult for the gadolinium to break away from its bonding agent.
Here are two lists of FDA-approved GBCA products:
[table id=8 /] [table id=9 /]Gadolinium Side Effects
When the toxic gadolinium contained in these substances breaks away from its bonding agent, it can be left behind in the bones, brain, and various tissues within the body. In turn, when this happens, there can be gadolinium side effects.
In more detail, this situation can lead to Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) in patients, which is a form of gadolinium toxicity and sometimes called, instead, Gadolinium Storage Condition.
Symptoms of these gadolinium side effects can first appear anywhere from a few hours to several weeks after the MRI, MRA , or CT Scan procedure when a GBCA injection was administered. Some of the more common symptoms reported by patients are:
- Persistent headache
- Severe pain in the bones, joints, arms, and legs
- Sensation of sharp pins and needles, cutting, or burning
- Cognitive impairment
- Clouded mentation (“brain fog”)
- Nausea / vomiting
- Thickening of soft-tissue, tendons, and ligaments
- Tightness in the hands and feet
Most Recent Article About This Drug
We continue to monitor the medical literature for developments related to gadolinium retention in connection with our investigation of cases of Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) in patients who received injections of gadolinium based contrast agents for their MRI, MRA, or CT scan procedure.
To read more of this article, click below:
Presented below is a collection of medical articles published in the past six months — September 2018 to March 2019 — written by or about medical researchers investigating the extent and severity of gadolinium retention following injections of gadolinium-based contrast agents for MRIs, MRAs, and CT scans.
- “Safety of Gadolinium Administration in Children”, from Pediatric Neurology medical journal (September 2018 edition) — Abstract
- “How widespread is gadolinium accumulation in the brain?”, an AuntMinnie.com news report (October 31, 2018) — Preview of November 28, 2018 scientific sessions at the annual RSNA show
- “Long-term Excretion of Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents: Linear versus Macrocyclic Agents in an Experimental Rat Model”, from Radiology medical journal (Published Online: November 13, 2018) — Abstract
- “Gadolinium retention in gliomas and adjacent normal brain tissue: association with tumor contrast enhancement and linear/macrocyclic agents”, from Neuroradiology medical journal (First Online: February 2, 2019) — Abstract
For more about Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) in patients, which is a form of gadolinium toxicity and sometimes called, instead, Gadolinium Storage Condition, see our Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents Side Effects page.
[Read article in full at original source]Earlier articles by our firm:
- May 2018 Gadolinium Deposition Disease Update Issued By Health Canada
- Gadolinium Retention Higher For Linear Agents Than Macrocyclic Agents
- MRI Contrast Agents: Gadolinium Retention Warnings Added To Drug Label
- Gadolinium Deposition Disease Explained: How It Is Diagnosed, And More
- Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents: Timeline of FDA Regulatory Actions
- Gadolinium Deposition Disease can Result from use of Contrast Agents During MRI & MRA Procedures
- FDA And MHRA Actions For Gadolinium-Containing Contrast Agents Differ