Effects of Gadolinium Depositions in Vivo

To explain the kinetics of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), where they leave deposits, and whether they ever leave the body.

A literature search was conducted using databases such as Academic Search Premier, EBSCO Host, PubMed, Radiological Society of North America, and Google Scholar. Studies pertaining to various GBCAs, their depositions, and their adverse effects were reported.

GBCAs were deposited in the skin, brain, dentate nucleus, globus pallidus, and thalamus. Common adverse effects of GBCAs included headache, joint pain, torso pain, weakness and fatigue, and cloudy mentation.

GBCAs should be avoided when not necessary, and the physician ordering the contrast should understand the benefits vs the risks for each patient. Although there is evidence of depositions of GBCA, it remains clinically acceptable to administer this contrast when there is an indication. The clinical indication for the GBCA, the type of agent, the dose, and other important information should be documented in the patient's medical record after administration.

The effects of gadolinium retention are still not understood fully and require future investigation. This literature review helped to show that all GBCAs-linear, nonionic, ionic, and macrocyclic contrast agents-leave deposits in the brain that show up on medical images. Further research should be conducted to assess possible links between depositions in the body and adverse effects.