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Avoiding MRIs with gadolinium contrast agent

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ANSydney:
There have been a lot of question about doing an MRI without gadolinium contrast agent. The reason for this is, although it is chelated, gadolinium is a heavy metal and particularly those having ongoing MRI scans, it is a concern.

The answer is a  high-resolution T2-weighted MRI is comparably accurate and economical alternative to the gold standard of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI. So, avoiding an unfavorable substance and cheaper! The article recent from 11 April 2017:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28397265

Keep in mind that this would not apply to your initial MRI, which needs to be able to identify any tumors. Once you know where it is, a high-resolution T2-weighted MRI will be able to examine growth. It's what I'll be using for for next MRI.

ColleenS:
Good to know! Thanks for sharing!

ANSydney:
A very recent article, for those that are interested entitled "Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents and Brain Safety: Signal vs Noise" from Medscape dated July 26 2017, http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/881864

bethtretrault:
Oh no. I still have 3 more to go before they cut me loose. Something else to worry about. :(

ANSydney:
If all your looking for is size change, a T2 weighted MRI will do the trick without the gadolinium contrast agent. T2 weighted with fast spin echo (fse) or turbo spin echo (tse) looks the best.

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