allergic reaction to gatolineum

[chayahindy]

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.

[Michelle_05]

Most radiological contrast agents do give some kind of an allergic reaction with in minutes of after having been infused. The severity though varies from person to person.
I would personally recommend you to ask your radiologist to use a different agent next time since you show increased sensitivity (Most likely Type 1) to Gatolineum.
As regards prophylactic therapy for it, well you can again discuss it with him, either to give you an anti allergic I/V shot e.g. Hydrocortisone prior to infusing the dye.

Relax & Good Luck.

[Christie2004]

There have been some discussions on the Breast Cancer forum as to MRI vs. mammogram in detection of breast cancer.  

Worth a look over there to see what you can find on the detection issue.

The questions on the Breast Cancer forum are answered by medical professionals from the Cleveland Clinic--it's not a patient to patient unmoderated forum like this one is.