Gadolinium Retention and Breast MRI Screening: More Harm Than Good?

Abstract

<b>OBJECTIVE.</b> The purpose of this article is to describe the risk-benefit balance of contrast-enhanced breast MRI (CE-BMRI) screening. <b>CONCLUSION.</b> CE-BMRI confers risk of effects associated with administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), including nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and gadolinium retention. The risk-benefit balance of CE-BMRI screening is favorable for carriers of <i>BRCA</i>, <i>TP53</i>, or other deleterious mutations women who have undergone thoracic irradiation; and women at 20% or greater lifetime risk of breast cancer. The balance is uncertain, however, for women at intermediate to average risk. Women must always receive detailed information regarding possible GBCA-associated effects.