Gadolinium chelates are commonly used to improve tissue contrast in MRI. Until recently the use of gadolinium was thought to be risk-free compared with alternative contrast agents. Recent studies ...

In this model, green gadolinium is surrounded by blue chelate ions, themselves surrounded by water (gray oxygen and red hydrogen atoms).

All patients were reassessed with MRI, using gadolinium chelate and intraluminal barium sulphate as contrast materials, followed by laparotomy to determine whether further treatment was required.

This is important because gadolinium can cause damage to the body if it escapes from the drug molecule ... More information: ...