Observed Deposition of Gadolinium in Bone Using a New Noninvasive in Vivo Biomedical Device: Results of a Small Pilot Feasibility Study

Abstract

Purpose To perform a preliminary evaluation of a noninvasive measurement system to assess gadolinium deposition in bone and to investigate the relationship between the administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) and gadolinium retention in bone. Materials and Methods In vivo measurement of gadolinium retention in tibia bones was performed in 11 exposed subjects who previously received GBCAs (six exposed subjects were from a study performed 5 years previously involving injection of GBCAs in healthy volunteers; five exposed subjects had self-reported GBCA exposure), and 11 sex- and age-matched control subjects without a history of GBCA exposure. Each subject underwent one measurement of gadolinium retention in the tibia with x-ray fluorescence in a laboratory at McMaster University. A one-tailed t test was performed to compare gadolinium concentration in the exposed group with that in the control group. The relationship between the dose of GBCA administered and the gadolinium concentration measured in bone was analyzed with linear regression. Results Gadolinium concentration in bone was significantly higher in exposed subjects (mean, 1.19 μg Gd/g bone mineral ± 0.73 [standard deviation]) than in control subjects (mean, -1.06 μg Gd/g bone mineral ± 0.71) (P = .01). There was also a positive correlation between the dose of GBCA administered and the gadolinium concentration measured in bone (R = 0.41); gadolinium concentration in bone increased by 0.39 μg Gd/g bone mineral ± 0.14 per 1 mL of GBCA administered. Gadolinium was detected in bone up to 5 years after one GBCA administration. Conclusion This x-ray fluorescence system is capable of measuring gadolinium deposition in bone noninvasively in vivo. Gadolinium can be retained in bone after one dose of GBCA in healthy subjects. RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Detection and imaging of gadolinium accumulation in human bone tissue by micro- and submicro-XRF

“…While the detection limits of EDS are typically around 0.5 wt%, SR-XRF spectrometry (as www.nature.com/scientificreports www.nature.com/scientificreports/ employed in the present study) features a much higher sensitivity down to sub-ppm 24 , thus making this method more suitable for the local analysis of trace elements like Gd. Indeed, the anticipated Gd concentrations in bone after exposure to GBCA are within few ppm, which is supported by the bulk measurements (up to 1.77 µg Gd/g bone 37 ) and in vivo experiments (mean 1.19 µg Gd/g bone 19 ).…”

“…Series of in vivo experiments by M. Lord et al contributed substantially to the current knowledge about Gd retention. The group developed an in vivo XRF device and obtained quantitative data on Gd content in the bone tissue of exposed patients in comparison with control subjects 18,19 .…”

Analysis of retention of gadolinium by brain, bone, and blood following linear gadolinium‐based contrast agent administration in rats with experimental sepsis

“…Gadolinium deposition occurs in tissues other than the brain, most particularly bone, which has been postulated to serve as a reservoir for Gd that may subsequently deposit in other tissues . Although clearance by multiple organs is rapid following GBCA administration, that by the brain and bone are reported to be slower .…”

“…Gadolinium deposition occurs in tissues other than the brain, most particularly bone, which has been postulated to serve as a reservoir for Gd that may subsequently deposit in other tissues. 33,[52][53][54] Although clearance by multiple organs is rapid following GBCA administration, that by the brain and bone are reported to be slower. 54 In the current study, Gd content in the bone was approximately 21 times the brain levels for LPS-treated rats and approximately 60 times that of control rats at 6 weeks following GBCA administration.…”

Gadolinium Deposition in the Brain and Body

“…Significant differences in gadolinium levels in bone and urine have been observed between individuals experiencing symptoms and those who are not [41]. A large study with a control population found more new symptoms within 24 hours after exposure to GBCA than after unenhanced MRI.…”