MRI disease is a rare condition associated with the use of contrast agents containing gadolinium in patients with kidney problems, leading to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and organ damage. The FDA has issued a black box warning against their use in such patients, and caution is advised for those with kidney disease taking drugs metabolized by the kidneys. Other safe contrast agents are available for use in these patients.
MRI disease is a very rare disease associated with the use of certain contrast agents in MRI scans performed on patients with impaired kidney function. In these patients, contrast agents have been linked to the development of a condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), in which collagen builds up in the body, eventually leading to organ damage and death. Treatment for this condition is based on trying to correct the underlying kidney problem, while also providing supportive care, and is ultimately fatal.
The contrast agents linked to the development of MRI disease all appear to contain gadolinium, a type of metal. In people with healthy kidneys, the kidneys process the metal after an MRI scan and the body excretes it safely. People with renal insufficiency cannot metabolize the contrast agent properly and it apparently contributes to the development of NSF. Control for other known causes and risk factors, NSF, and a history of contrast-enhanced MRI use were clearly linked in a number of patients.
In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States responded to concerns about MRI disease by applying its harshest warning, black box label, to gadolinium-containing contrast agents. The label cautions against the use of these materials in patients with renal insufficiency, including patients with renal insufficiency and patients with acute kidney injury. While some manufacturers protested the warning label, the FDA felt it was appropriate based on information it reviewed in the process of studying the connection between MRI scans and the development of NSF in patients.
People with kidney disease are at higher risk overall when they take drugs metabolized by the kidneys, because their bodies may not be able to clear the drug in a timely manner. People with a history of kidney problems should discuss the contrast agents used in medical imaging studies to confirm they are safe. It is also advisable to read drug warnings carefully and to make sure that doctors and pharmacists are aware of kidney problems so that they can detect medication errors before they occur.
Simply receiving an MRI scan is not dangerous for a patient with kidney problems, and there are other contrast agents that are safe for use in such patients. MRI is specifically linked to the use of gadolinium-containing contrast agents. The development of conditions such as MRI disease is one of the reasons agencies such as the FDA engage in ongoing surveillance of products approved for medical use, to check for the development of conditions that appear only years after exposure.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
