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High-resolution, whole-body vascular imaging with ferumoxytol as an alternative to gadolinium agents in a pediatric chronic kidney disease cohort

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Abstract

Background

Exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been associated with the development of a potentially fatal disorder, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Although contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) is an alternative to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it carries the risk of radiation exposure and further reduction of residual renal function. Therefore we sought to assess the feasibility of ferumoxytol as an alternative to GBCA for contrast-enhanced MR angiography (MRA) in a pediatric cohort with CKD. Ferumoxytol is a parenteral iron supplement that contains ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) and is a potent relaxivity agent for MRI.

Methods

We describe the MRI findings in ten pediatric patients who needed detailed vascular mapping. Ferumoxytol (4 mg/kg) was administered intravenously for contrast-enhanced MRA. The patients tolerated the procedure without complications.

Results

Resulting studies were highly diagnostic and were pivotal in guiding patient management. The images were notable for clear delineation of multiple vascular occlusions.

Conclusions

Given the concerns associated with the use of GBCAs in renal failure, ferumoxytol is an excellent alternative contrast agent in pediatric end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Future studies are needed in order to further evaluate safety and efficacy of ferumoxytol in this patient population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Anjali B. Nayak, Mark Hanudel, Barbara Gales & Isidro B. Salusky

  2. Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Aarti Luhar, Theodore R. Hall & J. Paul Finn

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA

    Joshua Zaritsky

  4. Department of Pediatrics, University Oklahoma Health Science Center, 1200N Childeren Avenue Suite 14200, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA

    Anjali B. Nayak

Authors
  1. Anjali B. Nayak
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  2. Aarti Luhar
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  3. Mark Hanudel
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Correspondence to Anjali B. Nayak.

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Nayak, A.B., Luhar, A., Hanudel, M. et al. High-resolution, whole-body vascular imaging with ferumoxytol as an alternative to gadolinium agents in a pediatric chronic kidney disease cohort. Pediatr Nephrol 30, 515–521 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-014-2953-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-014-2953-x

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