gadolinium

Gadolinium is a rare earth metal (lanthanide) used as the active component in a class of intravenous contrast agents known as gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). These agents are administered to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) scans. Gadolinium works by altering the magnetic properties of nearby water molecules, increasing signal intensity on MRI and improving visualization of normal and abnormal tissues. It is especially useful for detecting inflammation, tumors, vascular abnormalities, and lesions in organs such as the brain, spinal cord, liver, kidneys, joints, bones, muscle tissue, and blood vessels. Gadolinium itself is toxic in its free form; therefore it is always administered chelated to carrier molecules that reduce toxicity and facilitate excretion. The primary route of elimination is renal excretion; patients with impaired kidney function are at increased risk for adverse effects such as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis[1][3][4][5][6].

Brand names

MultiHanceGadavistOmniscanMagnevistDotaremProHanceOptiMARKEovistAblavarVueway

Other names

gadoliniumGdelemental gadolinium