NSF and Gadolinium

gadolinium contrast can cause rare disease nephrogenic systemic fibrosis ()


mri scan of the head

On June 8, 2006 the FDA issued a public health advisory to alert medical professionals about the possible link between gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (). According to the alert, 25 cases of were reported in patients with failure

On May 23, 2007, the FDA issued an updated statement asking manufacturers of gadolinium-based contrast agents to include a black box warning on their products and a new Warnings sections to their labels to describe the risk of developing .

what is gadolinium?

Gadolinium (Gd) is a rare earth metal with unusual paramagnetic properties that make it useful for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a contrast agent to enhance images.

Gadolinium is also used for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), an imaging procedure used to evaluate blood vessels.  FDA has not approved GBCAs for use in MRA.

There are five FDA approved GBCAs: Magnevist, MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, and ProHance.

what is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis ()?

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis () was first described in the medical literature in 2000, with the first case of bering identified identified in 1997.

The cause of is unknown but it has been reported only in patients who have severe disease.  causes fibrosis of the skin and connective tissues throughout the body which results in skin thickening that may prevent bending and extending joints, resulting in decreased mobility of joints.

Symptoms of NSF include swelling, hardening and tightening of the skin, joint stiffness, reddend or darkened patches on the skin, among others.

Over time, becomes worse and can cause death.

There is no known treatment for .

free legal consultation

If you or a loved one have been injured by a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA), if you have been diagnosed with , or if you are experiencing the symptoms associated with (), you may have a claim against the manufacturers of these gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Please contact us today by filling out the brief questionnaire, or by calling our toll free number (1-800-898-2034) for a free, no-cost no-obligation evaluation of your case.

Latest News

Beasley Allen files two gadolinium lawsuits

Today Beasley Allen filed two complaints in multidistrict (MDL) on behalf of clients injured by gadolinium.

Gadolinium is linked to adverse health effects on patients with renal insufficiency or failure, including Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (), which causes fibrosis of the skin and connective tissues and scarring of organs including lungs, heart, and liver and may lead to death.

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Gadolinium federal lawsuits move ahead

Injecting a toxic liquid metal such as gadolinium into the bloodstream may seem like a procedure from a sci-fi horror movie, but it is a common, every day occurrence in medical centers throughout the country.

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NSF study finds link between Gadolinium used in MRI and debilitating disease

Another Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) study has tied the debilitating condition to Gadolinium contrast agents used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (). This latest NSF research was conducted by the Centers for Control (CDC), which examined a cluster of NSF patients at one unidentified St. Louis Missouri Hospital. The CDC found that the exposure to Gadolinium contrast dyes during was independently associated with the development of NSF.

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