gadolinium [Gd]

Introduction

Also see lanthanide. 1886

Occurrence

• occurs gadolinite & several other minerals

Characteristics

• magnetic element of the rare-earth group
• paramagnetic

Uses

• contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (see gadolinium contrast)

Laboratory

• gadolinium in hair
• gadolinium in tissue
• gadolinium in serum/plasma
• gadolinium in urine

More general terms

• lanthanide (rare earth metal)

Additional terms

• gadolinium contrast (Omniscan)
• periodic table