Gadolinium MRI / MRA Causes Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (a skin and tissue con

dition) in Kidney Disease patients

Gadolinium
Gadolinium Side Effects NSF / NFD Gadolinium Lawsuits Gadolinium Lawyers

Larry Gornick
has been appointed by U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster to the national Gado
linium litigation plaintiff's steering committee >> read article
MRI Side Effects
Gadolinium MRI Causes NSF/NFD >> read article
PressMethod
MRI Dye Causes Skin Disease >> read article
7 News Boston - Special Report
NSF attorney Larry Gornick appears on Boston area news discussing dangers of gad
olinium MRI Dye >> read article >> Watch the video
LegalNewsline.com
Suit against Bayer, GE claims chemical compound is toxic >> read article
The Recorder
Patient Sues Over Dyes From Imaging >> read article
Daily Journal
One Plaintiff Suit at a Time >> read article

Gadolinium is a chemical element used in image contrast agents during magnetic r

esonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) procedures. Once
injected, gadolinium-based contrast agents accumulate in abnormal tissues of th
e brain and body. This accumulation provides a greater contrast between normal a
nd abnormal tissues, allowing doctors to better locate uncommon cell growths and
tumors. Recently this drug has come under scrutiny by the Food and Drug Adminis
tration due to gadolinium side effects such as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis / n
ephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NSF/NFD).
FDA Black Box Warning for Gadolinium
In May, 2007 the Food and Drug Administration demanded that manufacturers of gad
olinium-based contrast agents include â black box warningsâ and extensive warning informa
tion in the drugsâ literature and packaging. These warnings were a result of well-do
cumented cases linking nephrogenic systemic fibrosis / nephrogenic fibrosing der
mopathy (NSF/NFD) to gadolinium exposure patients who suffer from severe kidney
disorders and have been exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD)
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) and nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) i
s a disease-causing fibrosis of the skin and connective tissues. Sufferers may e
xperience thickening of the skin, and fibrosis may develop in the diaphragm, thi
gh muscles, lower abdomen and lung vessels. Over time the debilitating effects o
f the disease worsen and sometimes cause death.
Currnetly there are a variety of treatments being utilitzed for NSF/NFD patients
including, but not limited to:
Photopheresis (ECP)
Gleevac (imatinib mesylate)
Oral Steroids (such as Prednisone)
Pentoxyfilline
Plasmapheresis
Physical Therapy
Reduced EPO dosage
Thalidomide
Topical Dovonex
FDA reports have shown that people can develop these gadolinium side effects aft
er a single injection of a gadolinium-based contrast agent. There are five gadol
inium-based contrast agents currently available, and their respective manufactur
ers may not have fully informed doctors and patients about the risk of NSF/NFD.
This negligence may result in the drug manufacturers being required to compensat
e individuals who have become afflicted with NSF/NFD due to the use these agents
.
If you or someone you know suffers from NSF/NFD and has been given a gadolinium-
based contrast agent prior to an MRI or MRA, contact the law offices of Levin, S
imes, Kaiser & Gornick at (877) LSKG-LAW (877) LSKG-LAW to
learn more about your legal rights and the possibility of compensation.
Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents Currently in Use
Since 1988, the FDA has approved the use of five gadolinium-based contrast agent
s during MRI and MRA procedures:
Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine), manufactured by Bayer Healthcare.
MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine), manufactured by Bracco.
Omniscan (gadodiamide), manufactured by GE Healthcare.
OptiMARK (gadoversetamide), manufactured by Mallinckrodt.
ProHance (gadoteridol), manufactured by Bracco.
Causes and Symptoms of NSF/NFD
These side effects of gadolinium were discovered in 1997. The patients at highes
t risk suffer from an acute or chronic renal condition that causes the kidneys t
o insufficiently filter waste from the bloodstream. Other associated conditions
that can cause NSF/NFD include kidney dysfunction due to hepatorenal syndrome or
complications surrounding a liver transplant.
There are several symptoms associated with NSF/NFD, including:
Swelling, hardening and tightening of the skin.
Reddened or darkened patches on the skin.
Raised yellow spots on the whites of the eyes.
Joint stiffness.
Deep pains in the hip bones or ribs.
Gadolinium Lawsuits
The failure of drug manufacturers to properly inform doctors and patients about
the harmful side effects of these drugs illustrates their disregard for the well
-being of consumers. Many gadolinium lawsuits have been brought against these co
mpanies due to the fact they may be liable for any illness or death caused by th
eir gadolinium-based image contrasting agents. People who have been exposed to t
hese drugs and are suffering from NSF/NFD symptoms should contact the gadolinium
attorneys of Levin, Simes, Kaiser & Gornick at (877) LSKG-LAW
(877) LSKG-LAW to better understand their rights and explore any opportunit
ies for compensation