Detection and imaging of gadolinium accumulation in human bone tissue by micro- and submicro-XRF

Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 14;10(1):6301. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-63325-9.

Abstract

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are frequently used in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging. In GBCAs gadolinium (Gd) is present in a bound chelated form. Gadolinium is a rare-earth element, which is normally not present in human body. Though the blood elimination half-life of contrast agents is about 90 minutes, recent studies demonstrated that some tissues retain gadolinium, which might further pose a health threat due to toxic effects of free gadolinium. It is known that the bone tissue can serve as a gadolinium depot, but so far only bulk measurements were performed. Here we present a summary of experiments in which for the first time we mapped gadolinium in bone biopsy from a male patient with idiopathic osteoporosis (without indication of renal impairment), who received MRI 8 months prior to biopsy. In our studies performed by means of synchrotron radiation induced micro- and submicro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-XRF), gadolinium was detected in human cortical bone tissue. The distribution of gadolinium displays a specific accumulation pattern. Correlation of elemental maps obtained at ANKA synchrotron with qBEI images (quantitative backscattered electron imaging) allowed assignment of Gd structures to the histological bone structures. Follow-up beamtimes at ESRF and Diamond Light Source using submicro-SR-XRF allowed resolving thin Gd structures in cortical bone, as well as correlating them with calcium and zinc.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage
  • Contrast Media / analysis*
  • Contrast Media / pharmacokinetics
  • Cortical Bone / chemistry
  • Cortical Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cortical Bone / pathology
  • Cortical Bone / ultrastructure
  • Gadolinium / administration & dosage
  • Gadolinium / analysis*
  • Gadolinium / isolation & purification
  • Gadolinium / pharmacokinetics
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / instrumentation
  • Synchrotrons
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Gadolinium