Use of gadolinium as an intraarterial contrast agent for pediatric neuroendovascular procedures.

OBJECT: The safety and efficacy of Gd as an intraarterial contrast agent for pediatric neuroendovascular procedures were investigated.
METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed data regarding pediatric neuroendovascular procedures performed during a 1-year period. Seventeen procedures involving the use of gadodiamide in nine pediatric patients were identified. All angiographic images were of diagnostic quality but usually required minimal postimage processing. In time-consuming cases, the use of gadodiamide allowed the procedure to continue when the dosage of iodinated contrast approached a toxicity level and would have otherwise prompted termination of the procedure. This likely reduced the total number of procedures necessary. No adverse events due to the intraarterial use of gadodiamide were identified.
CONCLUSIONS: Gadodiamide appears to be a safe and effective contrast agent for pediatric patients.