It is known by some that Gadolinium exposure can cause issues. Gadolinium is used with MRI scans. In SIH / CSF leak diagnosis, Gad can be useful when doing a brain MRI as dural enhancement can only be seen with contrast. More often than not, a patient is given a blood test prior to check their kidney function.

A patient has every right to refuse Gad and it isn’t needed to give the diagnosis, but for those who have concerns, you might not realise there are different types of Gadolinium dye, and this has been explained in this great cheat-sheet diagram and article in AJNR.

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