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Tag Archives: Normal Kidney Function
We have an important advocate in Dr. Manny Kanal.
After years of trying to get the FDA and medical community’s attention about the issue of Gadolinium retention in patients with normal kidney function, it looks like our efforts have begun to pay off.
I want to share some news about Dr. Emanuel (Manny) Kanal. If you aren’t familiar with his name, Dr. Kanal is a leading radiologist and someone the FDA looks to for advice on matters related to MRI Safety. Duke and I have been in communication with him since October of 2013.
As you might imagine, MRI Safety is an important issue that requires medical professionals to stay well-informed about safety issues directly related to MR devices as well as the Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents administered for contrast-enhanced MRI and MRA. Since June of this year, Dr. Kanal has been conducting MRI Safety Officer (MRSO) and MRI Medical Director (MRMD) Seminars.
During a seminar on September 9, 2014, Dr. Kanal provided a “Gadolinium Contrast Overview”. According to the MRI Patient Safety blog, besides describing the state of NSF, he described “new and growing concerns about non-NSF bio-retention”. (more…)
Study reports brain abnormalities on MRI in patients with normal kidney function
In the October 2014 issue of Investigative Radiology, Errante et al report study findings that confirm the association between the increase in the unenhanced T1-weighted signal intensity of the dentate nucleus and the number of gadolinium-enhanced MRI scans. (The dentate nucleus is located within the deep white matter of the brain.)
The study included 38 patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and 37 patients with brain metastases (BMs) who had undergone at least 2 consecutive enhanced MRIs. After calculating the dentate nuclei-to-pons (DNP) signal intensity ratio, these values were compared between patients with less than 6 and those with 6 or more contrast-enhanced MRI. A progressive increase in the T1 signal intensity of the DNP ratio was observed in both the MS group and the BM group. All patients had normal kidney function. (more…)
Iceberg ahead!
So why am I talking about an iceberg on the Gadolinium Toxicity website? Let me explain.
Not long after I started researching NSF and Gadolinium in early 2010, I saw a reference to an editorial by Dr. Henrik Thomsen of Denmark that had been published in 2008. The title was, Is NSF Only the Tip of the “Gadolinium Toxicity” Iceberg? The title caught my attention and really made me think. It took me a while, but I finally managed to find the editorial. After reading it, I had more questions than answers.
It seems that in the early 1990s, there was already concern about the stability of the nonionic linear GBCAs, and the macrocyclic agents were found to be significantly more stable in serum. It was known that transmetallation with other metal ions in the body was more apt to occur with the DTPA-based chelates, and when transmetallation occurs it results in the toxic Gadolinium ion remaining in the body. Dr. Thomsen asked, “Why were nonionic linear chelates chosen instead of macrocyclic chelate?” That is a very good question.
For those of us in the U.S., a better question might be, why did it take the FDA longer to react than the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the Japanese authorities? (more…)
11 Tips for Patients with Gadolinium Toxicity
Suspecting or discovering that you are Gadolinium Toxic can be a scary time and you may not know what to do. And if you are like others, the journey to manage your condition will last for an extended period of time.
The 11 Tips we present here will make understanding and managing your condition an easier task. (more…)
Gadolinium Toxicity 