A Case of Ferumoxytol (Feraheme^®) Prompting Critical Modification to Our Patient Prebreast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Questionnaire

INTRODUCTION

Since 2006, gadolinium-based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have drawn much attention in both the medical and non-medical communities with regard to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and more recently gadolinium deposition disease. As a result, strict screening is universally performed before any MRI with intravenous (IV) injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent. We report a case of an uncommon IV drug, ferumoxytol, which confounded a breast MRI examination performed for diagnostic purposes. Its associated T1 relativity resulted in a critical change to the breast MRI safety screening questionnaire.

CASE REPORT

A 29-year-old woman with an elevated risk of breast cancer (estimated lifetime risk 22%) presented with persistent, intermittent, right milky nipple discharge and retroareolar pain.

The patient stopped nursing approximately 18 months before seeking medical attention. Relevant medical history included irregular menstrual cycles and iron deficiency anemia. After a negative mammographic and ultrasonographic diagnostic workup, breast MRI was performed.

Breast MRI was performed using a protocol that meets the standards of accreditation set forth by the American College of Radiology.[1] There was apparent gadolinium-based contrast enhancement on precontrast imaging acquisitions [Figure 1a]. No significant increase in enhancement was noted following gadolinium administration [Figures 1b and 2]. Similar findings were again noted on repeat MRI 1 week later.

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Figure 1

A 29-year-old female with ferumoxytol injection before breast magnetic resonance imaging. (a) Axial precontrast image demonstrating apparent enhancement in the heart and vasculature (arrowheads) and nonmass enhancement in the left breast (arrow). (b) Axial postcontrast image demonstrating similar enhancement in the heart and vasculature (arrowheads) and nonmass enhancement in the left breast (arrow).

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Figure 2

A 29-year-old female with ferumoxytol injection before breast magnetic resonance imaging. Subtraction image is extremely limited with no significant contrast noted in the heart and vasculature (arrowheads). Minimal nonmass enhancement is noted in the left breast (arrow).

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After both examinations, an MRI technologist confirmed that precontrast images were indeed acquired before IV gadolinium-based contrast agent was appropriately administered. No IV infiltration of contrast was noted during contrast administration. The technologists did not notice anything unusual about the precontrast images and proceeded with gadolinium-based contrast injection without contacting a radiologist. A chart review showed that the patient’s renal function was within normal limits. Her medication list in the electronic medical record only included cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) and synthroid. On direct questioning, the patient mentioned that she had received an IV infusion of ferumoxytol (Feraheme^®) for her iron deficiency anemia. She received one dose a day before her first MRI and one dose a day before her repeat MRI.

The repeat MRI was interpreted despite lack of true precontrast imaging. Areas of apparent nonmass enhancement on the MRIs [Figure 1a and b] were biopsied at the request of the patient and demonstrated benign pathology. Interestingly, no apparent enhancement on precontrast sequences was noted at the time of biopsy which was performed 3 weeks after the last ferumoxytol infusion. Our practice has since been modified to include IV iron supplementation in our patient questionnaire before performing a breast MRI.

DISCUSSION

Ferumoxytol is a carbohydrate-coated, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle with a plasma half-life of 15 h. Following injection, the ferumoxytol nanoparticles are taken up by the reticuloendothelial system. The iron is released from the carbohydrate complex and is transferred to plasma transferrin or is stored in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow within the lysosomes. The carbohydrate coating is excreted by the kidneys and/or the gastrointestinal tract.[2]

Ferumoxytol is used as an IV iron supplement for the treatment of anemia, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease.[3] Recommended dose is 510 mg IV, followed by a second similar dose after 3–8 days. The most common adverse reactions include diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, hypotension, constipation, and peripheral edema, which can be seen in ≥2% of patients.[2] One of the precautions of ferumoxytol is that it can interfere with MRI examinations. It can transiently alter the diagnostic ability of MRI for up to 3 months following the last dose with maximum alteration occurring within 1–2 days of administration. This is due to its intrinsic T1 shortening properties, which can produce a hyperintense signal on T1 sequences. In addition, it is also considered to be a negative contrast material due to its strong T2* effect.[4] It is recommended that T2 sequences not be performed earlier than 4 weeks after administration and T1 or proton-density sequences are recommended if MRI is required within 3 months of IV administration.[2] Multiple artifacts have been noted in patients undergoing brain MRI within 3 days of receiving IV ferumoxytol, including susceptibility artifacts on diffusion-, gradient echo-, and susceptibility-weighted imaging. There was also noted decreased expected enhancement on postgadolinium contrast-enhanced T1 sequences.[3] These phenomena have already been reported in the brain and abdomen, as well as MR angiography.[5,6]

Ferumoxytol is being investigated for its off-label use as an MRI contrast agent, predominantly for vascular imaging. It has demonstrated good visualization of cerebral vasculature in the early blood pool phase without obscuration of vessels.[7] Multiple studies have also investigated its utility as a contrast agent in cardiac MRI.[8,9] It has shown potential to be helpful for MRI in patients with chronic kidney disease.[10]

In this case, where two breast MRIs were performed without recognizing that the patient had recently received ferumoxytol before each MRI, we have changed our practice to include the use of IV iron supplementation such as ferumoxytol as part of our patient pre-MRI questionnaire [Figure 3]. To our knowledge, there is no other medication that causes such confounding effects on MRI.

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Figure 3

Our modified breast magnetic resonance imaging questionnaire includes a question about administration of FERAHEME as noted in the last sentence.

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CONCLUSION

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI examinations with gadolinium-based contrast agents are not without risks, especially as we continue to learn more about nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and gadolinium deposition in the brain. As such, obtaining an optimal diagnostic quality MRI while minimizing the unnecessary use of gadolinium is of utmost importance. This case serves to emphasize the need to check the medical record for possible medications, specifically IV iron supplementation that would interfere with the diagnostic quality of a breast MRI examination.