MRI or CT contrast symptoms, anyone?

[StephN]

Due to having had so many CT and MRI scans, I am asking for a sort of roll call to see how many of us here have had any kind of reaction or symptom from their scan contrasts.

The literature says the Gadolinium for MRIs is safe for those with normal kidney function. Here is some more info:

FDA Requests Boxed Warning for Contrast Agents Used to Improve MRI Images
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked manufacturers to include a new boxed warning on the product labeling of all gadolinium-based contrast agents which are used to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

The requested warning would state that patients with severe kidney insufficiency who receive gadolinium-based agents are at risk for developing a debilitating, and a potentially fatal disease known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). In addition, it would state that patients just before or just after liver transplantation, or those with chronic liver disease, are also at risk for developing NSF if they are experiencing kidney insufficiency of any severity.

"FDA has been carefully monitoring potential safety signals related to these contrast agents after receiving reports about the risk of this potentially life-threatening disease," said Steven Galson, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "This latest action demonstrates FDA's continuing vigilance about ensuring the safety of drug products once they enter the marketplace."

Patients with NSF develop thickening of the skin and connective tissues that inhibits their ability to move and may result in broken bones. Other organs are at risk of thickening as well. The cause of NSF is not known and there is no consistently effective treatment of this condition.

FDA first notified health care professionals and the public about the gadolinium-related risks for NSF in June 2006 . Information on the risks was updated in December.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents are commonly used to improve the visibility of internal structures when patients undergo an MRI. Five gadolinium-based contrast agents have been approved for use in the United States:

• Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine)
• Ominiscan (gadodiamide)
• OptiMARK (gadoversetamide)
• MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine)
• and Prohance (gadoteridol)

Reports have identified the development of NSF following single and multiple administrations of the gadolinium-based contrast agents. The reports have not always identified a specific agent. Omniscan was the most commonly reported agent, when a specific agent was identified, followed by Magnevist and OptiMARK.

NSF also has developed after the sequential administration of Omniscan and MultiHance and Omniscan and ProHance. Because reports incompletely describe exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents, it is not possible to know if the extent of risks for developing NSF is the same for all agents.

Patients should be screened for kidney problems prior to receiving one of these imaging agents. The recommended dose should not be exceeded and enough time should elapse to ensure that a dose has been eliminated from the body before the agent is used again.

There have been no reports of NSF among patients with normal kidney function or those with mild-to-moderate kidney insufficiency.

[Adriana Mangus]

Dear Stephanie:

Tomorrow I have an appointment for MRI brain, altough the interesting information you posted does not apply to me, it does offer a valuable tool for those who may have problems with kidney or liver organs. Knowledge
is power.

Thank you for posting.

[Alice]

After my last CT the tech that did the test made a comment that I should only have half of the contrast agent due to having only one kidney as the agents can be hard on the kidneys. He also stressed to make sure to drink enough liquids to flush it from my system.
Alice

Thanks Stephanie,

When I recently had my MRI I was not asked about kidney or liver function problems! I hope this news gets out to all the people who should be hearing it! Wow!

[chrisy]

Wow, scary stuff! I do get asked about liver/kidney problems and at some places they require current creatinine labs. They also insist on LOTS of water....after reading this, I think I'll strap on a gallon!

[tousled1]

I always get asked about kidney problems and am told to drink plenty of fluids after the scan.

I had a brain scan today and when they started to put the contrast in my vein collapsed and infiltrated. Thankfully, the tech was standing right there and was putting it in extra slow. My veins are really bad and they can only use my left arm due to lymphedema in the right arm. Well, I ended up getting stuck 3 times today and had to apply warm compresses to the hand where it infiltrated and keep arm elevated. The hand is fine now but in the future I will ask for an IV team member to access my veins. The last thing I need right now is an infection due to infiltration of the contrast.

[Lolly]

The tech who did my last abdominal CT w/contrast actually talked to me about this complication, asked if I'd ever had any problems with contrast, and really emphasized water, water, water.

I haven't had any problems so far, and have several scans per year since '99 which involve contrast. I drink lots of water anyway, and the techs always remind me to drink extra. The only side effect I notice after the contrast injections is tiredness that day, and sometimes the next, and being slightly headachey.

<3 Lolly

[hutchibk]

Wow, thanks Steph. I don't think I would have ever thought of this... and I have never been asked. I don't have kidney or liver problems and they do tell me to drink lotsa water.

[Chelee]

I know one of my last PET/CT scans were held up and I asked what was going on? I had already been injected with that radioactive dye and my hour was up to be put in the machine. The tech said they were having a problem calling upstairs to find out what my creatinine level was. They informed me they cannot do the PET/CT until they know my kidney function. They let me know there could be serious problems if my kidneys weren't in good shape. But they did get my results and onward into the PET I went.

Chelee

[StephN]

Hi -
I had a meeting with my radiation oncologist today. He is the one who did my Gamma Knife and follows my (what were) brain mets.

Had my brain MRI yesterday. My news was good, and I will post details elsewhere.

Main thing is that they now admit that there is a select group of patients who are sensitive to the contrasts used. The contrasts are different than those used for the CT or PET, but they all can have their side effects. He said they used to say it was perfectly safe, but with longer term use they are finding those problems. He does not see an issue for me, but we will extend the time by one month for the next scan. If I stay with no changes, we will extend to 4 months after that.

I feel like the "apron strings" are loosening!

[Bev]

Steph, glad things are OK. It's good to know there may be side effects to the contrasts. Never thought about it before. Bev

[Lala]

I became allergic to Iodine after numerous scans. I can tell you it came as a total surprise to me. I was in the Catscan Machine and suddenly I felt like my sinus was burning as well as my eye swelled up. I was immediately escorted to a private area and examined and observed for hours.

I now have to be pre medicated with steroids and benadryl in order to avoid the Iodine allergy. I was also told at some point even these drugs may stop working. It is something to think about as we all must be scanned Allergies can happen anytime so BEWARE.

[jones7676]

I have had PET, CT, and MRI scans with contrast and I've never had any problems.

[Lisa1962]

Like Lala two posts above me I was fine with all the various contrasts - PET, CT, MRI, MUGA and then one day I broke out in hives right after a CT scan. ALL. OVER - I was an itchy crazy person - but I had already left the radiology department and just sat in the lobby of the hospital and monitored myself (I know I know - dumb and I won't do anything like it again).

For my CT scan last month I premedicated with Decadron and still broke out in a few hives. Next time - more steroids I guess.

[Brenda_D]

I just had a CT with contrast (iodine) yesterday, without any problems.