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Has the contrast used in an MRI caused anyone to have kidney damage?

Posted by rita @ritabtripp, Feb 11, 2024

Because I have a CHEK2 mutation that puts me at a higher risk of breast cancer, my physician is strongly urging me to have an annual MRI of my breasts and an annual mammogram - 6 months apart. I don’t think there is radiation with an MRI but worry about the contrast that is going through my kidneys with the MRI. Has anyone with healthy kidneys had an issue with the contrast causing kidney damage? I’m 67 years old and I know that as we age our kidneys begin to age too. I’m trying to weigh the pros and cons of having the MRi annually

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rita | @ritabtripp | Feb 12, 2024
In reply to @lilacs777 "Thanks for that tip! Had no idea you could get IV hydration to lessen the effects..." + (show)
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Thanks for that tip! Had no idea you could get IV hydration to lessen the effects of the contrast. The PEM mammo sounds interesting also I wonder if that uses any radioactive components? I do know that MRI is really the only imaging in use today that shows ILC with any relability at all. Regular mammo, even 3d, and US are pretty useless for ILC. I really wish breast doctors would explain BEFORE we all get diagnosed.... I was told for years that 3d mammo + US would catch anything early. Not true.

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I didn’t know that either. Thanks for educating me. And it helps me make the decision to go ahead snd get the MRI. Thanks!

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mulkey518 | @mulkey518 | Feb 12, 2024
In reply to @lilacs777 "Thanks for that tip! Had no idea you could get IV hydration to lessen the effects..." + (show)
Profile picture for lilacs777 @lilacs777

Thanks for that tip! Had no idea you could get IV hydration to lessen the effects of the contrast. The PEM mammo sounds interesting also I wonder if that uses any radioactive components? I do know that MRI is really the only imaging in use today that shows ILC with any relability at all. Regular mammo, even 3d, and US are pretty useless for ILC. I really wish breast doctors would explain BEFORE we all get diagnosed.... I was told for years that 3d mammo + US would catch anything early. Not true.

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For lilacs777 - this is Mulkey@518 - that is a true statement— I had my annual MAMMO & US March 2024 -
Then in April 30th I felt a lump - got another Ultrasound in March Radiologist Doctor unsure of what it was and later had a biopsy- which came out as being Cancer of the Blood Vessels- ANGIOSARCOMA.

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mulkey518 | @mulkey518 | Feb 12, 2024

This is mulkey @ 518
Correction to my earlier post to Lilacs777

The correct date for my annual MAMMO & US is March 2023 and not typo 2024

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verol65 | @verol65 | Feb 12, 2024

Before any contrast CAT scan or MRI, in my part of the world, they deman a creatinine blood test, which tells them whether your kidneys are able to discard the contrast or not.

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anjalima | @anjalima | Feb 13, 2024
In reply to @lilacs777 "Thanks for that tip! Had no idea you could get IV hydration to lessen the effects..." + (show)
Profile picture for lilacs777 @lilacs777

Thanks for that tip! Had no idea you could get IV hydration to lessen the effects of the contrast. The PEM mammo sounds interesting also I wonder if that uses any radioactive components? I do know that MRI is really the only imaging in use today that shows ILC with any relability at all. Regular mammo, even 3d, and US are pretty useless for ILC. I really wish breast doctors would explain BEFORE we all get diagnosed.... I was told for years that 3d mammo + US would catch anything early. Not true.

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Def not true! Mommodid not find 2 large tumors in one breast!

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anjalima | @anjalima | Feb 13, 2024

My nephrologist opined that the contrast used for CT is the one that is concerning for kidneys and the contrast for breast MRI is relatively safe. I do not have kidney disease but I did ask this question as I get MRI annually now.

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rita | @ritabtripp | Feb 13, 2024

That is very helpful and reassuring. Thank you!

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kstar077 | @kstar077 | Feb 15, 2024
In reply to @ritabtripp "I love the idea of getting IV hydration if by I decide to get the MRI...." + (show)
Profile picture for rita @ritabtripp

I love the idea of getting IV hydration if by I decide to get the MRI. Thank you so much!!!

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I am only having followup mris for my breast cancer. As I said I had mammos and the ILC breast cancer did not show up. It did show up on ultra sound when I pointed out the lump. I am going to continue my follow ups with mri and I am going to have iv hydration before I have the mri because of the dye. Dye is bad for kidneys.

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shail | @shail | 4 days ago
In reply to @mir123 "I have kidney disease 3B, and breast cancer. I've had numerous scans with dye contrast for..." + (show)
Profile picture for Miriam, Volunteer Mentor @mir123

I have kidney disease 3B, and breast cancer. I've had numerous scans with dye contrast for the cancer but my oncologist tested the kidneys before each, and then my nephrologist had to agree that I could do it. In most cases, you can have an IV hydration before the dye is injected. It adds time, and get a blanket as "room-temperature" infusion can be chilling to the body. But I think worth it, as it protects the kidneys. The other alternatives mentioned here sound useful as well.

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@mir123 thanks for tip of IV hydration. I hope in India they listen & do it for me. I too have decided to get MRI with contrast as I have dense breasts and mammos are painful and don't give a clear picture. I will also get a high resolution ultrasound after 6 months.
My mother is a breast cancer survivor so I need to be careful. Again the tip to carry a blanket is great.
Wear warm clothes & socks.
I'd like to add - carry ear plugs too

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lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | 3 days ago
In reply to @windyshores "Lobular forms chains rather than masses so it is harder to detect. Here is an article..." + (show)
Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

Lobular forms chains rather than masses so it is harder to detect.

Here is an article on the new screening technology that I saw the other day. It is more effective for dense breasts, apparently. Talker News (can't post link due to ads). This is not available yet.

By James Gamble via SWNS

A ground-breaking new imaging technique could soon offer more accurate and less invasive breast cancer diagnoses.

The innovative screening technique called a low-dose positron emission mammography (PEM), returned far fewer false-positive results than MRI scans and is thought to be less uncomfortable than mammogram screening.

Mammograms also often fail to deliver accurate diagnoses in women with high breast density - a problem that doesn't occur for PEM scans.

And in returning fewer false-positive results, PEMs could save health services like the NHS millions by reducing unnecessary operations and treatments.

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@windyshores

Hi! Windyshores:

I just came upon this post of yours that was published on February 11th of last year, and am so excited upon reading it! Thank you so much for sharing such wonderful news for us all!

After further search, I found an article from NIH's National Library of Medicine called: "Clinical utility of positron emission mammography" .

According to its abstract: "Positron emission mammography (PEM) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and introduced into clinical use as a diagnostic adjunct to mammography and breast ultrasonography. PEM has higher resolution and a more localized field of view than positron emission tomography–computed tomography and can be performed on patients to stage a newly diagnosed malignancy..."

So, this low-dose positron emission mammography (PEM) is currently available in the USA. My question is: which medical facilities or imaging centers across the US offer PEM currently? Could you please let us know whether Mayo Clinic (or any other cancer center or facilities) offers it to the public of this country right now, please?

Thanks again for providing us with such promising news of new technology to help us all! Wishing you all a better journey ahead with better health!

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