Gadolinium and Kidney Disease Just One Aspect of MRI Risk

Washington, DCThe past few years has seen the emergence of a compelling and grievous result of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that relates to the use of the MRI contrast agent Gadolinium in patients having weak or diseased kidneys. However there are other MRI health risks.

Much of that risk has to do with the MRI machine itself and the powerful magnetic field that serves as its foundation. How powerful? Try many thousands of times greater than the earth's own magnetic forces.

That's why doctors, patients and technicians need to be so careful when in the same room as an MRI scanner, given such robust fields. Anything that has a ferromagnetic base needs to be eradicated from both the room and the various personages present. Many a video posted on YouTube—including a safety video by GE, a manufacturer of MRI machines—demonstrate the tremendous forces that are exerted when a spanner, a hospital gurney or anything ferromagnetic gets close to a machine.

One can witness technicians attempting to pry a steel chair away from an MRI with a series of two-by-fours. Thus, a reason to carefully screen patients for the presence of internally imbedded components that may be constructed of ferromagnetic material. Such a device could be dislodged internally—with disastrous effect—by the powerful forces of an MRI magnetic field that effectively, is never shut off.

Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that there was a 30 percent increase in MRI accidents in 2008, together with a 270 percent increase in the four-year period after 2004. 'Projectile,' or 'missle' accidents are reported to be the most common affronts to MRI safety, with many experts of the view that the majority of such accidents are never reported.

As for a concern for the contrast agent Gadolinium and its role in fostering the appearance of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) in patients with weak or damaged kidneys, there may be good news on the horizon. According to the August 16th edition of the Korea Times, a Korean research team has developed a contrast medium that is claimed to be safer than current products. Led by Professors Oh Byung-chul and Kim Hyeon-jin, a research team from the Gachon University of Medicine and Science developed the new medium which, "once commercialized," professor Oh said, "will contribute to the public health as it can help make correct cancer diagnoses with less cost."

The medical contrasting agent industry is a $5 billion global juggernaut, with the US leading the way.