Drugs used during MRI scans that have been linked to a rare disease are being widely used in South Africa.

-Times LIVE

10/26/2009 - An agent used during MRI scans has been named as a health risk for those with kidney problems. But radiologists say local patients have little to fear.

US researchers have found that the drugs - contrast agents containing the potentially toxic metal gadolinium, which make scans easier to read - pose health risks to people with impaired kidney function.

The US-based Pro-Publica non-profit news organisation reported this month that about 400 people had sued the makers of the drugs in the US after they or relatives contracted a crippling disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).

NSF symptoms include swelling and tightening of the skin, which in severe cases can prevent victims from walking or fully extending their joints. Complaints of muscle weakness are common.

Several brands of gadolinium-based agents are used in South Africa, but Dr Claus Sperryn, president of the Radiological Society of South Africa, said local radiologists were aware of the dangers.

"There's no risk at all in patients with normal renal function," he said. "But we do make sure that we know the renal function of patients. If they've got impaired function, you might opt not to use contrast. One needs to exercise caution with any of the agents."

Sperryn said only a small percentage of the "tens of thousands" of people who have MRI scans every year were injected with the agent.

MRI machines use a magnetic field and radio waves to form images of body parts and are used in the diagnosis of everything from stiff knees to brain tumours.

Sperryn said he was not aware of any cases of NSF in South Africa.

Dr Leon Janse van Rensburg, the secretary of the Radiological Society, said an average of one in five patients would be given contrast agent in a general radiology practice.

Dr Bruce Spottiswoode, who runs a brain-imaging research facility at the University of Cape Town, said his team routinely used gadolinium contrast agents.

"We fortunately haven't had a patient develop NSF as a result of the gadolinium," he said. "Several sites insist on a kidney function test before administering contrast, particularly in elderly or high-risk patients - for example, diabetics."

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