Gadolinium
MRI contrast dye associated with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) -- also known as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD)
Keywords: Gadolinium | Attorney | Santa Rosa | Lawyer | Lawsuit | NSF | NSD | Kidney / Renal Failure | MRI | MRA
Gadolinium-based contrast agents are administered to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Since 2006, a number of patients receiving gadolinium-based contrast agents have reported the onset of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. The FDA has requested that manufacturers include a black boxed warning on the product labeling of all gadolinium-based contrast agents. A boxed warning is the FDA's strongest safety warning and is used to alert health care professionals to the adverse reactions and serious risks posed by a drug.
The following five gadolinium-based contrast agents have been approved for the U.S. market:
- Omniscan (gadodiamide)
- Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine)
- OptiMARK (gadoversetamide)
- MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine)
- ProHance (gadoteridol)
Reports of NSF have followed even a single administration of one of these agents.
Only patients with severe kidney insufficiency or renal dysfunction are susceptible to the increased risk of NSF from gadolinium-based contrast agents. Symptoms which may indicate the development of NSF include:
- red or discolored patches on the skin
- thickening and tightening of the skin
- stiffness in joints and difficulty moving
- muscle weakness
- discolored spots in the eyes
Symptoms of NSF/NSD may appear within days or months of exposure to a gadolinium-based contrast agent. While there is no known cure for NSF, some treatments may slow or even reverse the progression of the disease. Patients exhibiting symptoms of NSF should consult a physician immediately.
Additional Information on Gadolinium
FDA Press Release
FDA Q&A
European Medicines Agency Statement
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Q&A
Lawsuit
Lawsuits are being filed across the country against the manufacturers of gadolinium-based contrast agents. If you have been diagnosed with NSF/NSD after an administration of one of these dyes, you may have valuable legal rights. For a free and confidential consultation, please fill out the form to the right or contact attorney Tarik J. Naber at (707) 545-1660 or tnaber@gsoglaw.com.
