Kohkan Shamsi, in collaboration with ICPME, develops an accredited course intended to educate on the potential implications of ordering and performing contrast-enhanced MRIs
The use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in MR imaging has been well-established for 25 years and is an extremely valuable tool for visualizing areas of interest.
However, recent publications have shown hyperintensities on MRI in the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus of patients who have received multiple gadolinium-based contrast injections and have no severe renal insufficiency. Gadolinium deposits have histopathologically been confirmed in the brain tissue of patients exhibiting these hyperintensities. While further research is needed to evaluate the clinical significance of these findings, radiologists, radiologic technologists, and referring physicians must be aware of the potential implications for ordering and performing contrast-enhanced MRI, especially in those patients who may require multiple scans.
Educational Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
Explain the classification of GBCAs and clinical relevance of their molecular structures and other physicochemical properties and how these affect patient safety
Discuss recent studies reporting hyperintensity in the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus on MRI and histopathologically confirmed gadolinium deposits in patients who have undergone multiple contrast-enhanced MRI scans
Discuss the association of GBCA classification with hyperintensities and gadolinium deposits found in the brain
Implement the current FDA, ACR, and EMA guidelines for GBCA usage