Be sure to discuss any fears you may have, such as possible side effects, with your technician or physician. IBJI offers appointments for same day or within 24 hours Monday through Friday, with many office throughout the Chicago area. We offer more than physicians and 20 locations throughout Chicago, ensuring complete musculoskeletal care wherever our patients are.
Contact us to learn more about our advanced diagnostic technology and services. Uses and Advantages Physicians order contrast MRIs for their patients because they do a better job of showing clear images for certain conditions. How to Prepare Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, eat normally and keep taking your medications before your contrast MRI exam. Related Posts.
December 21, May 4, The contrast medium enhances the image quality and allows the radiologist more accuracy and confidence in their diagnosis.
Instead, it temporarily changes how imaging modalities view and interact with your body. After the completion of your imaging exam, either your body absorbs the contrast material, or you eliminate it through your urine. Not every MRI requires using a contrast agent. MRIs with and without contrast are both effective, and your doctor will determine which scan you need based on your present condition and your medical and health history.
Contrast MRIs are a great way to track the progression of multiple sclerosis. MRI scans have transformed how radiologists diagnose MS, and are now the primary method doctors use to diagnose the condition, to the exclusion of other techniques such as CT scans , since in MRI scans, the lesions appear quite distinctly.
Doctors can often spot lesions reasonably easily anyway. Regardless, an MRI with contrast detects new lesions as they form, helping doctors learn how fast the condition is progressing. They also help the doctor evaluate the type of MS a patient has, which can be:.
If a radiologist uses MRI dye during your MRI exam to make parts of your soft tissue look more detailed, they can spot tumors better as they start growing. The MRI scan with contrast works by highlighting specific parts of your soft tissue, helping the radiologist come up with a diagnosis of your condition.
In particular, tumor growths or other severe developments are simpler for the radiologist to identify when using contrast with the MRI scan. A GBCA isn't always useful. For example, gadolinium can't readily cross the blood-brain barrier BBB that protects the brain from harmful substances. The list of conditions in which GBCAs may or may not be useful is extensive. They are broadly outlined by the ACR in the following chart. As the guidelines illustrate, the choice to use or not use a GBCA is largely subjective and relies on a healthcare provider's judgment and experience.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents come in several types that are differentiated by:. Some GBCAs are organ-specific, while others have a heavier molecular weight so they remain within the circulatory system and don't diffuse into adjacent tissues. Others still can target specific cells like tumors. MRI contrast agents approved for use by the U. GBCAs are generally considered safe with relatively few side effects. If side effects do occur, they tend to be transient and resolve on their own without treatment.
In rare instances, certain groups of people, including those with kidney dysfunction, may experience severe side effects or complications. The long-term, cumulative effects of GBCAs are unknown. Due to this, your healthcare provider may limit the number of MRIs with contrast you receive or interspersed MRIs with other imaging techniques, such as X-rays or computed tomography CT scans.
Although rare, some people may experience a mild allergic reaction to gadolinium. The main symptom is itchy skin , and the allergy itself is rarely severe. A study published in the British Journal of Radiology reported that between 0. You swallow them in liquid form before the scan. The contrast agent typically involves a form of gadolinium called gadolinium-DPTA mixed with mannitol a type of sugar alcohol that is poorly absorbed by the intestines.
Mannitol is known to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in some people. While gadolinium can be used on its own with few, if any, gastrointestinal side effects, it needs mannitol to remain stable in the acidic environment of the stomach and intestine.
The injection itself can cause localized pressure and pain. Some mild swelling may also occur after the procedure, which can usually be treated with ice application. There may also be redness and bruising at the injection site. On rare occasions, certain GBCAs have been known to cause a serious condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis NSF in people with severe kidney disease. NSF can cause tightening and hardening of the skin similar to scleroderma , as well as the contraction of tendons and muscles, impairing movement and joint mobility.
The function of certain organs, such as the heart, lung, diaphragm, stomach, intestines, or liver, may also be impaired. NSF has no cure, and no treatment is known to deliver consistent results. For this reason, GBCAs should be used with extreme caution in people with reduced kidney function and avoided in anyone with severe chronic kidney disease , acute kidney injury , or on dialysis.
The discussion about the long-term safety of GBCAs is ongoing, particularly when they're used extensively or on a regular basis such as when monitoring multiple sclerosis. In , the FDA issued a safety announcement citing studies in which the prolonged use of gadolinium in people with MS resulted in deposits of the material in brain tissues.
More recent research suggests that the risk of accumulation is dose-dependent, meaning the longer gadolinium is used, the greater the risk. What the FDA advisement failed to say is whether the deposits pose any health risks. Though some scientists have suggested that the accumulations may cause neurotoxicity poisoning of the brain , there has been little evidence of this.
A review of studies in Lancet Neurology concluded that no harm or behavioral changes were seen in animals exposed to high doses of gadolinium over a long period of time. The few studies involving humans also demonstrated no ill effects.
Despite the conclusions, the researchers would not go so far as to say that the buildup of gadolinium would never cause problems.
Rather, they suggested that further research is needed before gadolinium can be empirically regarded as safe. An MRI study is performed by a radiology technician also known as a radiographer or radiology technologist and interpreted by a radiologist.
An MRI scan with contrast can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the area of the body being scanned, the agent used, and the GBCA'S route of administration. MRIs using oral GBCAs may take up to two and a half hours, requiring you to drink multiple doses and wait until the agent passes into the intestine.
Be sure to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before your appointment to fill out the necessary paperwork and settle in. The MRI machine will be situated in its own room within the facility. After placing you inside the machine, the radiology technician will operate the unit from behind a glass partition. You're able to communicate via a two-way speaker system inside the unit.
The MRI machine itself is a tube-like device into which a flatbed is inserted and removed via remote control. Some smaller units allow you to insert just an arm or leg. Many newer models are open on the sides, reducing the claustrophobia that some people feel when being scanned.
Because MRI utilizes strong magnetic fields, you will not be allowed to wear anything that contains metal during the procedure, including:. It's best to leave jewelry at home and to remove metal accessories from the body, such as piercings and hairpieces.
You'll be given a gown to change into if your clothing interferes with the MRI readings. Some people come with their own clothes, such as drawstring pants, sweatpants, plain T-shirts, or workout wear. To avoid walking on bare feet, bring along socks or a pair of slippers. Dentures and hearing aids should be removed prior to the procedure. Medical staff will provide you with a secure place to store your belongings. The same does not apply to oral GBCAs, which may require you to stop eating and drinking four or more hours in advance.
The radiology staff will advise you if any dietary or medication restrictions apply to your procedure. This aids in flushing the contrast from your system. You will be asked extra screening questions when scheduling an MRI with contrast. These help us to identify if you have any underlying health issues which could put you at added risk of complications. The greatest concern is to ensure your kidneys are functioning at a normal rate to process the contrast and expel it efficiently.
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