MRI/Gadolinium NSF

Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida

Gadolinium
Gadolinium is a contrast agent solution used in MRIs, and has been recently linked to kidney failure and the potentially fatal disease Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).

A non-radioactive solution, gadolinium is ideal for MRIs (and MRAs, which evaluate blood vessels) because it provides a greater contrast between the body's normal and abnormal tissue. Once injected, gadolinium makes the affected area bright, allowing physicians to see the exact size and location of any tumors that need treatment. Gadolinium then quickly clears your body through the kidneys.

Linked to Disease

Contrast agents containing gadolinium have been found to cause complications in some patients with kidney problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of NSF among patients who received gadolinium-based contrast agents, and began notifying health care professionals in June of 2006. The FDA is now asking manufacturers to include a new warning on labels of all gadolinium-based contrast agents.

This label warns patients with severe kidney insufficiency that the injection of a gadolinium-based agent puts them at risk for developing NSF.

About NSF
A potentially fatal disease, NSF is a skin fibrosis, which causes the skin to swell and tighten. NSF usually starts in the lower extremities, resulting in decreased mobility of your joints. In severe cases, it can prevent patients from walking or fully extending their arms, legs, hands or feet. This debilitating disease can also lead to death.

Also called Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD), this disease can take several days or several weeks to develop. This rare condition has affected less that 300 people across the United States. Presently, there is no known treatment for NSF.

Patients who have developed NSF often have the following symptoms:

Burning, itching or swelling
Hardening and tightening of the skin
Red or dark patches on the skin
Yellow spots on the whites of the eyes
Stiffness in joints and trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Pain deep in the hip bones or ribs
Muscle weakness

If you or a loved one had an MRI or an MRA where contrast agent was used to enhance the MRI image, and you or a loved developed NFS or kidney failure as a result, you may be eligible for compensation. Please contact our product recall attorneys at Burke, Harvey & Frankowski. Serving Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia, our lawyers can help you recover what you rightfully deserve. Call or e-mail us today for a free consultation.

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