Kinetics of Urinary Excretion of Gadolinium Contrast Agents Used in MRI Examinations

Last updated: March 14, 2025
Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Régional Metz-Thionville
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

N/A

Treatment

biological samples collection

Clinical Study ID

NCT06191731
2023-02-CHRMT
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This is a single-center cohort study aimed to describe the urinary excretion kinetics of gadolinium contrast agents (Gd-CAs). Patients with a prescription for injected MRI are invited to participate in the study. If they agree, blood and urine samples are collected before Gd-CAs injection, and urine samples are collected between 0- and two-and-a-half-hours post-injection of Gd-CAs.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients:

  • over 18 years of age

  • with a prescription for MRI with gadolinium-based contrast agents (Gd-CAs) injectionvalidated by a radiologist

  • affiliated with a health insurance plan

  • have signed an informed consent form

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients:

  • with known allergy to gadolinium-based contrast agents (Gd-CAs)

  • with known severe renal impairment (GFR < 30 mL/min)

  • on dialysis

  • with urinary incontinence

  • with an ongoing urinary tract infection

  • under hydric or hydrosodic restriction

  • unable to urinate independently

  • Protected persons (under guardianship, curatorship or safeguard of justice)

  • Pregnant or breast-feeding women

Study Design

Total Participants: 60
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: biological samples collection
Phase:
Study Start date:
April 12, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
April 12, 2026

Study Description

The contrast agents used in MRI to characterize certain lesions contain a chemical element from the rare earth family: Gadolinium (Gd). Gd, in its isolated form, is toxic in humans, but it can still be used in the form of complex molecules such as gadolinium contrast agents (Gd-CAs), which retain its contrast power while greatly minimizing its toxicity.

The MRI is performed rapidly after the injection of Gd-CAs, and these compounds are eliminated by the urinary route in the first urine following the examination. After elimination, and in view of their very high stability, these compounds follow the path of wastewater via sewage treatment plants. However, the processes currently used in these plants do not retain them, and they remain present in the purified water discharged into rivers.

Work carried out at the Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux (LIEC) at the University of Lorraine has demonstrated the bioaccumulation of these compounds in freshwater organisms. Gd-CAs then follow the classic pathway of continental waters. It should be noted that the quantity of Gd released as a result of MRI activities has been estimated on average at 1 injection per 1 g of Gd used.

In order to prevent future environmental disorders, recovery of all or part of the Gd-CAs immediately after MRI by urine collection is undoubtedly the most effective approach.

The aim of this project is to assess the feasibility of such an approach, and to propose a protocol applicable to MRI involving the injection of gadolinium contrast agents for urine collection.

This project is part of the "Rare Earths" theme of LabEx R21. It will examine the possibility of recycling gadolinium as an element or as Gd-CAs.

Connect with a study center

  • CHR Metz-Thionville/Hopital Mercy

    Metz, Grand Est
    France

    Site Not Available

  • CHR Metz-Thionville/Hopital de Mercy

    Metz, Grand Est
    France

    Active - Recruiting

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