MRI safety update 2008: part 1, MRI contrast agents and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE This article is the first part of a two-part series on MRI safety. In this article, part 1, the topic of MRI contrast agents and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is addressed. CONCLUSION To prevent incidents and accidents associated with MRI, it is necessary to regularly revisit the safety topics that directly impact patient management especially with respect to the subjects that are "new" (e.g., MRI contrast agents and NSF), those that should be reassessed because of recent changes, topics that deserve emphasis because of controversy or confusion, and information that should be considered in light of new findings.