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Safety profile of MRI gadolinium contrast vs. CT scan with contrast
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (16)Comment receiving replies
I am just seeing this post as I searched for anyone out there that is concerned with the amount of radiation you’re exposed to with annual/semi annual CT scans as we monitor our aneurysms. I was considering asking for a MRI for future observation. I recently read in PubMed article that we are 30% more likely to develop cancer due to the radiation from CT scans. Does anyone have any concerns? I’m going for my 5th CT scan in 3 years this week. I have a family history of colon cancer and it’s a bit terrifying to know I put myself at risk for cancer trying to monitor my aneurysm.
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@wags199
Unfortunately, we as patients are between a rock and a hard place. Both CT and MRI scans have downsides not generally addressed by the doctor. Yes, you are right to be concerned as to the very real cancer risk—but it seems to be a case of the lesser of two evils: Taking on a heightened cancer risk, or chancing longterm deposit of gadolineum in your tissues?
Doctors remain unaware of your total lifetime radiation exposure via medical diagnostics. That is up to you. It puts us patients in an uncomfortable position. We would like to think that doctors are the guardians of our health, monitoring all this—but other than we ourselves no one else has the time, nor frankly, the interest.
In my own case, I had had a series of chest CT scans for lung and heart issues. A recent CT indicated a possible heart valve problem that may have been caused by damage from—you guessed it, radiation exposure! But, maybe not. Kind of a gray area.
So it really becomes a matter of pick your poison, and hoping for the best.