Encephalopathy after unintentional intrathecal gadolinium: A letter to the editor.

OBJECTIVE

Raise awareness of gadolinium encephalopathy, a rare cause of neurological symptoms.

SETTING

An L5-S1 interlaminar epidural steroid injection (IL-ESI) was performed with a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) due to the patient's history of allergic reaction to iodine-based contrast agents.

DISCUSSION

Several hours after administration of GBCA, the patient had nausea and vomiting with altered mental status. Patient was treated with dexamethasone IV, and was discharged on day 2. Patient had no residual deficits at follow-up two weeks later. Current literature shows that caution should be used to prevent inadvertent intrathecal GBCA, and doses >2.0 mmols are associated with serious adverse effects, including death.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrathecal administration of GBCAs should be limited to less than 0.5 mmol. If adverse effects are experienced, IV steroids should be administered as soon as possible, and a CSF drain should be considered.