Pseudohypocalcemia after magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium in patients with cirrhosis
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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
Published on: December 18, 2016
Costas H Kefalas1, Natalie G B Murray, James J Aguanno
1Division of Gastroenterology, Deparment of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA.
Abstract:
Hypocalcemia in patients with cirrhosis may be due to a number of causes. We noted a relationship between injection with gadodiamide, a particular gadolinium chelate, during magnetic resonance imaging of the liver and the development of a falsely low serum total calcium level in a patient with cirrhosis. A cross-reference and retrospective chart review identified 10 additional patients in whom this phenomenon was noted. We describe the temporal relationship and clinical characteristics of these patients. Pseudohypocalcemia following magnetic resonance imaging with gadodiamide contrast should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypocalcemia in patients with cirrhosis.
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