From the Guidelines
Clariscan is a gadolinium-based contrast agent used to enhance the quality and diagnostic accuracy of MRI scans, and it should be used cautiously in patients with kidney problems due to the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and gadolinium deposition in the brain, as reported in studies such as 1 and 1.
Key Points
- Clariscan contains the active ingredient gadoteric acid, which helps improve the visibility of internal body structures during magnetic resonance imaging procedures.
- It is commonly administered for detecting and characterizing lesions in the brain, spine, and body, including tumors, infections, inflammatory conditions, and vascular abnormalities.
- The contrast agent works by altering the magnetic properties of nearby water molecules, creating greater contrast between different tissues on the resulting images.
- Clariscan is administered intravenously just before or during the MRI procedure at a standard dose of 0.1 mmol/kg body weight.
Important Considerations
- Patients with kidney problems should be carefully evaluated before receiving Clariscan, as impaired renal function can affect the clearance of gadolinium from the body, increasing the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, as noted in 1.
- Patients should inform their healthcare providers about any allergies, kidney issues, or if they are pregnant or breastfeeding before receiving this contrast agent.
- The enhanced images provided by Clariscan allow radiologists to make more accurate diagnoses and better evaluate disease progression or treatment response.
Recommendations
- Use Clariscan with caution in patients with kidney problems, and consider alternative imaging methods or contrast agents when possible, as recommended in 1.
- Inform patients about the potential risks and benefits of Clariscan, and obtain informed consent before administration.
- Monitor patients for signs of adverse reactions, such as nausea, hives, or anaphylaxis, and be prepared to provide emergency treatment if necessary.
From the Research
What is Clariscan
- Clariscan is a gadolinium-based contrast agent used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to improve lesion detection and characterization, and to increase diagnostic confidence 2.
- It is a macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent, which is considered to be safer than linear contrast agents, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure 3, 4.
When is Clariscan used for MRI
- Clariscan is used in contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MR) imaging to improve diagnostic confidence and image quality in various body regions, including the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and reproductive system 2.
- The use of Clariscan is particularly useful in patients with chronic kidney disease, as it has been shown to be safe and effective in this population, with a low risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) 5, 6, 4.
- The dosage of Clariscan used varies depending on the body region being imaged, with higher doses used for nervous system-related diagnoses and lower doses used for musculoskeletal and pediatric-related diagnoses 2.
Safety and Effectiveness of Clariscan
- Clariscan has been shown to be well-tolerated, with a low incidence of adverse events, and excellent effectiveness in improving diagnostic confidence and image quality 2.
- The safety and effectiveness of Clariscan have been confirmed in real-world clinical practice, with a large multicenter observational study demonstrating its excellent safety and effectiveness in a diverse patient population 2.