Gadolinium Can Let You Down with MRI Injuries

In: Disease & Illness

18 May 2009

Gadolinium is a contrast agent or dye that is used in magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. Without this agent, MRI procedures would not be helpful. As you may know, MRI is a non-invasive way for doctors to have a visual inspection of problems in the internal organs, nerves and tissues of patients. So, instead of opening up the cranium or other parts of the body to know a patients problems, they can just rely on the images provided by the MRI to determine conditions. Truly, MRI procedures have been helpful to many people. However, it is important to note that the injection of the contrast agent can also lead to MRI injuries.

The dye or contrast agent that we are talking about here is gadolinium. Colorless, this liquid is actually made up of metallic crystals which give it the luster that allows doctors to identify damaged internal organs. Indeed, a good MRI is not possible without this agent, but there have been many cases linked to this substance that put it in a bad light.

Many people who have undergone MRI procedures complain of muscular problems, severe joint aches and skin inflammation. For some individuals, these symptoms can be temporary.

Moreover, gadolinium can also turn certain ailments from bad to worse. Take the case of patients who are already suffering from kidney problems. These people need to get MRI in order for doctors to effectively evaluate their conditions. But by getting injected with gadolinium, kidney patients can face deadly nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Patients who are lucky enough to survive these complicated MRI injuries can experience a lifetime of pain in both ribs and hip areas, eye spots, and skin problems.

Patients suffering other types of inflammatory diseases can also have problems when injected with gadolinium for their MRI procedures. Although this contrast agent can be helpful, it also contains toxins that can bring about MRI injuries to the eyes, joints, skin and even internal organs, regardless of the amount that has been injected into the body.

If you are one of the many people who are experiencing the ill effects of MRI and gadolinium, you do not have to suffer in silence.

About the Author:

Comment Form