Residual gadolinium from MRI contrast agents in the brain: A health risk assessment

Abstract

Gadolinium based contrast agents are commonly used as MRI contrast agents. Gadolinium is toxic to living organisms and it is used as a contrast agent due to its ability to impart a chelate structure. Gadolinium contrast agents have been used safely for a long time ; however, unfortunately, in recent years we have several reports that gadolinium contrast agents remain in the brain. This revelation is presently drawing world wide attention as to whether the little gadolinium that remains in the human body is harmful or not.