Gadolinium Lawyer

Sometimes in MRI (”magnetic resonance imaging”) and always in MRA (”magnetic resonance angiography”) a contrast dye may be injected into the body to help detect any abnormalities. MRI and MRA contrast dye containing the heavy metal gadolinium has been linked to a disease called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermotherapy (NFD). 

This is a life threatening medical condition. The disease process often starts in the skin and spreads to internal organs and other parts of the body. The disease may cause a patient’s skin to change color from pink to orange to brown. The skin may even become woody. A patient may also notice that the skin will lose its hair and all color pigmentation. 

Patients who are more likely to develop the disease include those with known kidney disease. Depending on the severity of the disease, a kidney transplant may be necessary to treat NSF/NFD.  Symptoms of NSF/NFD include: 

• Burning of the skin
• Hardening or tightening of the skin
• Swelling in extremities
• Red or dark patches on the skin
• Yellow spots on the whites of the eyes
• Difficulty moving hands, feet or lets
• Joint pain or stiffness in joints
• Muscle weakness The MRI contrast dyes brand names which contain gadolinium include Omniscan, OptiMARK, Magnevist, MultiHance, and ProHance. 

Since May 23, the FDA requires a Black Box Warning on all MRI contrast dyes containing gadolinium. This warning urges caution in using these dyes in people with impaired kidney function.

To learn more, contact a Gadolinium Lawyer at Williams Kherkher by calling 1.800.220.9341.