Patients who are allergic to or sensitive to medications, contrast dye, iodine, or shellfish should notify the radiologist or technologist. MRI contrast may also have an effect on other conditions such as allergies, asthma, anemia, hypotension (low blood pressure), and sickle cell disease.
Non-contrast MRI is great option for patients for whom dye is not recommended, pregnant women and kidney-compromised patients. Non-contrast also provides greater images of blood vessel activity, detecting aneurysms and blocked blood vessels.
MRI contrast is generally safe for most people. However, individuals with kidney disease and those who are pregnant should let their doctor know before getting an MRI with contrast. Common side effects of contrast materials are generally mild and may include a rash, nausea, and vomiting.
Contrast-enhancing MRIs are better at measuring and analyzing cancers. With the use of contrast, radiologists can better identify tiny tumors and learn the exact position of the mass. Radiologists can better interpret MRI contrast scans because they are clearer and provide higher-quality pictures.
So, a contrast MRI can give details that a non-contrast MRI can't provide. Possible medical diagnoses from contrast MRIs include cancer, pituitary disease, vascular malformations, central nervous system aneurysms, acoustic neuromas, and seizure causes are completely evaluated with contrast MRI exams.
Even though a contrast MRI provides extremely valuable information, a physician will not typically order an MRI with contrast unless deemed absolutely necessary. For example, in most cases sports injuries, work related injuries, and back pain do not typically require intravenous contrast exams.
Bone infections, multiple sclerosis, herniated discs, compressed discs, pinched nerves, tumors on your spine, and compression fractures are all conditions that benefit from an MRI with contrast, which can help your doctor decide your treatment regimen.
Blood work (BUN and creatinine) must be obtained for:
Patients age 60 or older. Patients with KNOWN renal insufficiency or borderline kidney failure. Patients with only one functioning kidney. Patients with a history of elevated Creatinine (1.5 mg/dl or higher).
After receiving MRI contrast
Drink plenty of water after the MRI scan to help your kidneys flush the contrast out from your body.
During and after your scan, your radiologist will not tell you if something is wrong based on your images.
The most common adverse reactions are minimal: headache, nausea (feeling slightly sick) and dizziness for a brief time after the injection. A few patients will have a feeling of coldness at the injection site.
It can cause a shortening of muscles and tendons causing muscle weakness, severe pain, limited mobility, reduced organ function, and blood clots. Patient advocacy groups have reported severe disease in patients who received Gadolinium-based contrast agents during MRI procedures.
There are two main contraindications for the administration of gadolinium based IV contrast agents used in MRI: risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and allergy to gadolinium.
Contrast materials help distinguish or "contrast" selected areas of the body from surrounding tissue. This helps physicians diagnose medical conditions by improving the visibility of specific organs, blood vessels, or tissues.
If you had intravenous contrast, you should drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day to help flush the contrast out of your body. Your doctor will receive the results within 48 hours.
MRI is a very safe procedure. As noted above, MRI does not use x-rays. In theory, you could undergo many MRI examinations without any cumulative effects.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents can not only deposit in the brain, but also in the skin, bone, liver, and other organs.
If your kidney function is below normal then two things happen. First, the contrast agents are cleared more slowly from your body. If kidney function is very poor (eGFR < 30) this prolonged exposure can lead to a change in the injected MRI agent's chemical composition and create a small risk of developing NSF.
What Can I Expect From Contrast for Scans? Contrast agents are safe to use during scans, and your body naturally rids you of them within a day or two when you urinate or have a bowel movement.
Usually, if you stop drinking water for 1-2 hours before your appointment, you should be all right. You do not have to fast before your MRI – with or without contrast. When you do eat, though, try to stay away from heavy, greasy foods. Lighter meals made of fruits, vegetables, beans, etc.
If there's a cancerous mass or infectious abscess, it will absorb the contrast material, making it more visible compared to normal tissues. By doing both non-contrast and post-contrast scans, the team can better understand the scanned area and more accurately identify any abnormalities.
Injection-site discomfort, nausea, itching, rash, headaches, and dizziness are the most prevalent adverse effects. Patients with significant renal issues are more likely to experience serious, but uncommon side effects, including gadolinium poisoning and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis 1 .
Radiologists recommend fasting prior to undergoing a CT or MRI with contrast because of the possible side effects of the contrast agents. While rare, side effects of contrast can cause nausea or vomiting during the test. Vomiting while lying down could cause food blockages in your airway, known as asphyxia.
Contrast is not used in patients with head, extremity or spine trauma. It is also not used in patients with suspected acute stroke. Finally, imaging of the abdomen and pelvis to assess for renal stones also does not require CT contrast.
CIN is associated with a sharp decrease in kidney function over a period of 48-72 hours. The symptoms can be similar to those of kidney disease, which include feeling more tired, poor appetite, swelling in the feet and ankles, puffiness around the eyes, or dry and itchy skin.