What you should know about Gadolinium:

Gadolinium is a paramagnetic metal ion which moves differently within a magnetic field. This trait makes gadolinium a useful contrast agent during an MRI. Gadolinium is used during an MRI because it allows the physician to see the exact size and location of the area that needs to be treated. After the Gadolinium is injected into the bloodstream, it is exposed to the MRI and becomes very bright, highlighting any deposits of the fluid which indicates abnormal tissue growth. Contrast agents that use Gadolinium provide the physician with greater clarity and makes the smaller tumors very bright and easy to see.
Once administered, the solution is rapidly removed from the body by the kidneys. The most common side effects associated with the use of Gadolinium based contrast agents are headache, nausea, and a localized burning sensation. Some individuals have been found to be allergic to Gadolinium, experiencing hives, eye irritation, and shortness of breath.
Because NSF is a new disease process, some patients with NSF were initially misdiagnosed with other skin conditions, such as scleroderma.  Therefore, if you underwent a procedure, such as a computed tomography scan (CT Scan), magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI), or a magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and gadolinium contrast was administered, and at the time of the procedure you had some degree of renal insufficiency and have since developed signs and symptoms of NSF, it is possible that you may have this condition even though it has not been formally diagnosed. 

To determine whether your skin condition is NSF, rather than a skin disorder such as scleroderma, you must have a minor procedure known as as a "skin punch biopsy."  After the skin punch biopsy is performed, the pathology specimen should then be analyzed by a qualified pathologist familiar with NSF and its pathologic characteristics.

There are currently five FDA-approved gadolinium-based contrast agents, Magnevist, MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, and ProHance. These agents are approved for use during an MRI scan, but not for MRA. The FDA is asking health care professionals and patients to report possible cases of NSF/NFD through FDA’s MedWatch program.
If you or a loved one has suffered a health complication related to Gadolinium, you may qualify to seek compensation. Please contact us today at 800-200-6303 for a complimentary consultation.

Gadolinium Side Effects/Signs/Symptoms:

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) symptoms initially affect the skin. Most NSF/NFD patients describe a swelling and tightening of the skin. These effects are typically limited to the extremities but can sometimes involving the trunk. Some symptoms may include all or some of the following:

• Yellow spots on the whites of the eyes
• Stiffness in joints and trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Tightening and swelling of the skin
• Hardening and thickening of the skin around the joints, restricting movement
• Extremely hard or rough skin has the texture of an orange peel
• Red or dark patches on the skin
• Burning, itching, and/or sharp pains in affected areas
• Symmetrical skin lesions
• Muscle weakness and hardening of soft tissues
• Deep bone pain in the hips and ribs
• Calcification of soft tissues

Symptoms of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy can appear anywhere from one day to 2 years after a patient has been exposed to a Gadolinium. Most patients eventually may be unable to walk, or fully extend the joints of their arms, hands, legs, and feet. Most people diagnosed with NSF/NSD are first found to have high blood pressure.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) can progress to the point of causing severe stiffness in joints, and it can lead to death. The progression of the disease can be slow, and it can take several years for all of the symptoms associated with NSF/NSD to appear. However, some patients have a form of NSF/NSD that progresses so quickly that they often die of complications brought on by the disease.

Gadolinium in the news

• 4/3/2009 Study Suggests “Potent” Link Between NSF, Gadolinium Contrast Dyes
• 3/25/2009 Gadolinium Contrast Dye Lawsuit Trials Will Start in January

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