Tests & Procedures

Gadolinium Contrast

Pronounced: gad-oh-LIN-ee-um

What it is

Gadolinium is a contrast agent sometimes given through an IV during an MRI. It helps highlight areas of active inflammation, which appear bright on the scan. Not every MS MRI uses contrast, and your team decides based on what they are looking for.

Why it matters for you

Knowing what the contrast is for helps you understand why some scans include an IV and some do not. It also explains what your radiologist means by an enhancing lesion.

Questions to ask your doctor

What's new since my last MRI — new lesions, active areas, anything that's changed?
What types of lesions am I showing — T2 (general), T1 'black holes' (more permanent damage), gadolinium-enhancing (active right now)? What does each kind tell you?
Where are the lesions — brain or spine, and what parts?
Which lesions are the most concerning — and what does that tell you about how my MS is going?
Do the lesion locations explain the symptoms I've been having?

See all you just had an mri questions