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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
allergic reaction to gatolineum
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
allergic reaction to gatolineum
by chayahindy, Jun 17, 2005 12:00AM
i had an mri as a follow up to a mammogram (found some areas of density that dispersed with spot/compression and no signs calcification) and an ultrasound with no abnormal findings. I had an allergic reaction to the contrast dye - tightness in my chest, coughing, sneezing, congestion, hives, itching, redness, burning.... and was treated with 50mg benadryl and steriods in the emergency room. how common is this? and what are my options now? is there some prophylactic treatment they can do prior to the mri and how necessary is the mri as diagnostic tool? is it possible that there can be stage zero etc.. that wouldn't show up definitively on mammogram and would be more obvious on mri? if there are no safe means to do the mri what are the risks in waiting for a follow-up mammogram in six months? thank you for responding.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jun 20, 2005 12:00AM
Dear chayahindy: Mammogram remains the standard of care in screening for breast cancer in women of average risk. Currently, the role of MRI as a screening tool in women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer is evolving. MRI may be better at detecting certain types of abnormalities earlier but is not a test to be used in isolation. Although it can be helpful in the preoperative evaluation of breast cancer, it is generally not considered a mandatory part of diagnostic imaging. The risk for a contrast reaction in the future may be reduced with steroid premedication, but for your case the risk of the test must be weighed against the potential benefit. A breast specialist would be best suited to review your personal risk and make recommendations for followup - including whether or not an MRI is necessary and/or could be safely done in the future.
