Is a MRI contrast safe when you have reflux in the femoral deep vein?

I have had swelling above the knee for 3 months. An ultrasound found no deep vein thrombosis (DVT), just reflux in the femoral deep vein. The doctor told me to have a MRI of the left leg with contrast, but I read that the dye can cause clotting. What are the risks of doing a MRI contrast when you have reflux in the femoral deep vein? Is the MRI safe?

Answers from doctors (6)


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Feb 05, 2013

The MRI is very safe. The contrast has some concerns. There are articles available online that discuss MRI safety, including adverse reactions and risk factors. Overall, in the absence of kidney disease, the risk is very small.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

The MRI is very safe. The contrast has some concerns. There are articles available online that discuss MRI safety, including adverse reactions and risk factors. Overall, in the absence of kidney disease, the risk is very small.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Feb 04, 2013

If your physician recommends the MRI then I would do what he says, especially since the information from the MRI will be valuable to him as a doctor, and that out weighs any risk involved. I have not heard of any high risk of DVT from contrast dye. There may be minimal risk due to the extra fluid in the blood stream, but not from the dye itself. If you have concerns about this further, then your physician needs to know how you feel.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

If your physician recommends the MRI then I would do what he says, especially since the information from the MRI will be valuable to him as a doctor, and that out weighs any risk involved. I have not heard of any high risk of DVT from contrast dye. There may be minimal risk due to the extra fluid in the blood stream, but not from the dye itself. If you have concerns about this further, then your physician needs to know how you feel.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

Published on Jan 28, 2013

This question should be addressed to the radiologist doing the examination.


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Answered by Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

This question should be addressed to the radiologist doing the examination.


Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor Laser Vein Center

Published on Jan 28, 2013

There are no increased risks with an MRI if you have reflux in the femoral vein. MRI's are generally safe. There is only a small risk with the contrast.

Answered by Laser Vein Center (View Profile)

There are no increased risks with an MRI if you have reflux in the femoral vein. MRI's are generally safe. There is only a small risk with the contrast.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jan 28, 2013

A MRI is safe unless you are allergic to the dye. An even simpler test to look at the deep veins would be a computed tomography angiography (CTA) venous phase with contrast. Reflux is not a contraindication to doing a MRI and a MRI does not show reflux.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

A MRI is safe unless you are allergic to the dye. An even simpler test to look at the deep veins would be a computed tomography angiography (CTA) venous phase with contrast. Reflux is not a contraindication to doing a MRI and a MRI does not show reflux.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jan 28, 2013

First, what about reflux of the superficial veins? That tends to be more common than reflux of the femoral veins. You need to make sure you find out what condition your superficial veins are in. On the other hand, there is not much risk of doing a MRI of your venous system even with reflux in the femoral veins.

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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

First, what about reflux of the superficial veins? That tends to be more common than reflux of the femoral veins. You need to make sure you find out what condition your superficial veins are in. On the other hand, there is not much risk of doing a MRI of your venous system even with reflux in the femoral veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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