Severe Arm Pain Preceding Life-threatening Reaction to Gadolinium—a Possible Warning Sign?

A Lqbal, CJ Roche

Hong Kong J Radiol 2003;6:40-1

Gadolinium-based contrast agents are used in selected patients for further characterisation of lesions. These contrast agents are safe for the vast majority of patients, although various adverse reactions to these agents have been reported with relatively few life-threatening reactions, especially with Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine 469 mg/ml). This report is of a patient with a life-threatening reaction to magnevist that was unusual in that the reaction was preceded by intense arm pain.