What are the adverse effects of Gadolinium contrast agents used in some MRIs?
In some cases your referring physician will order intravenous contrast for the MRI study, or the radiologist supervising the study may decide that contrast administration is necessary to make a diagnosis. MRI contrast contains Gadolinium, and side effects occur very rarely. The most common effects of Gadolinium contrast injection are injection site symptoms, such as pain, localized warmth, burning sensation. In some cases, chest pain, back pain, fever, weakness, generalized coldness, generalized warmth, arrhythmia, tachycardia, migraine, syncope, vasodilation, gastrointestinal distress, stomach pain, throat irritation, rhinorrhea, sneezing, dyspnea, or wheezing can occur. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF2), also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), was first diagnosed in 1997 and is a rare complication of intravenous gadolinium administration. Risk factors include: advanced renal disease, age 60 years, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, and in adults with a his
