Gadolinium

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Have you or a loved one who suffers from kidney problems had an MRI or MRA? A gadolinium-based dye may have been used during the procedure and you may be at risk for a serious disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), also called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this debilitating disease, you may want to speak with an attorney who can assist with filing a gadolinium lawsuit.

Gadolinium-based dyes are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in MRI testing. Sometimes gadolinium-based dyes are used with MRA tests, although the FDA has not approved this use. Gadolinium is a chemical element. When used as a contrasting dye, it provides an improved image of body organs and tissues. The following gadolinium-based dyes have been approved by the FDA:

• Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine)
• Ominiscan (gadodiamide)
• OptiMARK (gadoversetamide)
• MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine)
• Prohance (gadoteridol)
  

In May of 2007, the FDA issued a statement to announce that manufacturers of gadolinium-based dyes will be required to include a warning on package labels (Read FDA statement here). The warning will explain that patients with kidney problems who receive gadolinium-based dyes are at risk for developing NSF, a dangerous and potentially fatal disease. In addition, the warning will state that patients just before or just after liver transplantation, or those with chronic liver disease, are also at risk for developing NSF.

What is NSF?
Patients with NSF develop thickening of the skin and connective tissues that inhibits their ability to move and may result in broken bones. Other organs are at risk of thickening as well. The cause of NSF is unknown and there is no consistently effective treatment of this condition. NSF has only been reported in patients with severe kidney or liver problems.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of NSF?
Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms

Skin and eyes
• Swelling, hardening and tightening of your skin
• Reddened or darkened patches on the skin
• Burning or itching of your skin
• Yellow raised spots on the whites of your eyes

Bones and muscles
• Stiffness in your joints; problems moving or straightening arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Pain deep in your hip bones or ribs
• Muscle weakness

(Read additional questions and answers concerning gadolinium here).
If you or a loved one is suffering from kidney or liver damage and had an MRI/MRA using a gadolinium contrast agent, resulting in the diagnosis of NFS/NFD, let a gadolinium attorney advise you about a potential gadolinium lawsuit. A lawyer familiar with new developments in the investigation of gadolinium may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions.

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