Gadolinium Deposition in the Brain: Current Updates

• Published in: Korean journal of radiology Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 134 - 147
• Main Authors: Choi, Jin Woo, Moon, Won-Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Society of Radiology 01.01.2019; 대한영상의학회
• Subjects: Brain - diagnostic imaging; Calcification; Contrast agents; Contrast Media - adverse effects; Contrast Media - analysis; Contrast Media - pharmacology; Gadolinium - analysis; Gadolinium - pharmacology; Gadolinium DTPA - adverse effects; Gadolinium DTPA - analysis; Gadolinium DTPA - pharmacology; Humans; Kidneys; Ligands; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Technology, Experiment, and Physics; 방사선과학; United States > US; Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea; Brain deposition; Deposition mechanism; Gadoilnium; Chelating ligand; Thermodynamic stability; Pharmacovigilance and Risk Assessment Committee
• ISSN: 1229-6929; 2005-8330; 2005-8330
• DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2018.0356

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are commonly used for enhancement in MR imaging and have long been considered safe when administered at recommended doses. However, since the report that nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is linked to the use of GBCAs in subjects with severe renal diseases, accumulating evidence has suggested that GBCAs are not cleared entirely from our bodies; some GBCAs are deposited in our tissues, including the brain. GBCA deposition in the brain is mostly linked to the specific chelate structure of the GBCA: linear GBCAs were responsible for brain deposition in almost all reported studies. This review aimed to summarize the current knowledge about GBCA brain deposition and discuss its clinical implications.