The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an investigation into the potential for gadolinium brain deposits resulting from repeated use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recent reports in medical literature show these deposits can remain for long periods of time in the brains of patients who undergo four or more MRIs.
The FDA, including its National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR), said that because it’s not known whether gadolinium deposits are harmful or can cause health problems, all possibilities must be explored. Manufacturers will not be required to make changes to the labels of GBCA products at this time.
The body eliminates GBCAs mostly through the kidneys, though trace amounts can linger long after an MRI scan. Both human and animal studies have shown that gadolinium can stay in the brain, even in individuals with normally functioning kidneys.
According to the FDA, healthcare professionals can limit the possibility of gadolinium accumulation by using GBCA only in circumstances where the substance is absolutely necessary for the purpose of gathering information. Healthcare workers were also instructed by the agency to reassess whether repeat GBCA MRIs are necessary in established treatment protocols.
Patients and caregivers with questions about GBCA use in MRIs should discuss them with their healthcare workers. GBCAs are the only type of scanning agent under investigation. The issue does not apply to other types, such as those that use isotope-based radioisotopes.
from Parker Waichman http://www.yourlawyer.com/blog/gadolinium-used-in-mris-can-linger-in-the-brain-long-after-scans/
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