Gadolinium-enhanced MR Imaging and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: Retrospective Study of a Renal Replacement Therapy Cohort

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Abstract
Purpose: To retrospectively compare the frequency of administration and cumulative dose of gadolinium-based contrast agent in dialysis-dependent patients who did and those who did not develop nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Materials and Methods: The ethics committees granted exempt status for this study and also waived the need for informed consent. A retrospective analysis was performed of all adult patients undergoing dialysis in the west of Scotland between January 1, 2000, and July 1, 2006. Diagnoses of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, episodes of gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and cumulative doses of gadolinium-based contrast agent were recorded. Outcomes were analyzed by means of parametric and nonparametric testing. Results: Fourteen of 1826 patients had a diagnosis of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Mortality was similar for affected and nonaffected patients. Thirteen (93%) of 14 patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis had undergone gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging compared wi...