title: Pseudohypocalcemia after magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium in patients with cirrhosis.
abstract: Hypocalcemia in patients with cirrhosis may be due to a number of causes. We noted a relationship between injection with gadodiamide, a particular gadolinium chelate, during magnetic resonance imaging of the liver and the development of a falsely low serum total calcium level in a patient with cirrhosis. A cross-reference and retrospective chart review identified 10 additional patients in whom this phenomenon was noted. We describe the temporal relationship and clinical characteristics of these patients. Pseudohypocalcemia following magnetic resonance imaging with gadodiamide contrast should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypocalcemia in patients with cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Deparment of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75246, USA.
authors.forename: Costas H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kefalas
authors.forename: Natalie G B
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Aguanno
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Dockery
authors.forename: Jeffrey S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Goran B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Klintmalm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA