Abstract
Gadolinium based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are reviewed in the paper. Contrast agents currently available and their limitations are presented.
Two adverse events associated with applications of Gd, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and possible occurrence of gadolinium deposits after repeated applications of mainly linear types of contrast agents, are explained. Contrast agents not based on lanthanoides, used mainly in research, are also mentioned; these are mainly based on Fe and can bring additional information in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
The importance of Gd administration in MS patients is described in detail, both in diagnostics (the acceleration of the diagnostic process due to the possibility of dissemination in space confirmation based only by one MR examination), and in differential diagnostics as well. Characterization of enhancement in diseases that are considered in differential diagnosis and their differences from MS are described.
Finally, guidelines for clear-cut use of contrast media in MS patients are given.