Pseudohypocalcemia after magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium in patients with cirrhosis.

Hypocalcemia in patients with cirrhosis may be due to a number of causes. We noted a relationship between injection with gadodiamide, a particular gadolinium chelate, during magnetic resonance imaging of the liver and the development of a falsely low serum total calcium level in a patient with cirrhosis. A cross-reference and retrospective chart review identified 10 additional patients in whom this phenomenon was noted.