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

Beasley Allen attorneys Andy D. Birchfield, Jr., and Benjamin L. Locklar filed the complaint in United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division under Judge Dan Aaron Polster on behalf of plaintiffs Caroll L. Jett, a resident of Fulton County, Illinois, and Malicia A. Moody, a resident of Wilcox County, Alabama.

This is a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) against defendants Bayer Corporation; Bayer Healthcare LLC; Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation; Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Berlex Laboratories, Inc.; Berlex, Inc.; Bayer Schering Pharma AG; and Bayer AG.

The complaint alleges the defendants designed, manufactured and marketed the gadolinium-based contrast agent Magnevist, which is an injectable Paramagnetic contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), containing the metal gadolinium.

The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers of the gadolinium-containing products acted in a conscious, intentional, willful, wanton, reckless, fraudulent and inappropriate way with total disregard for the rights and safety of those persons who used their products, and as a result the plaintiffs suffered significant and lasting harm.

Official Complaints

Gadolinium Lawsuit – Carroll Jett v. Gadolinium
Gadolinium Lawsuit – Malicia Moody v. Gadolinium

SOURCE: Gadolinium and NSF › Beasley Allen files two gadolinium lawsuits

NSF (sometimes called Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy or NFD) was first seen in patients in 1997, and it wasn’t mentioned in medical literature until 2000. NSF leads to excessive formation of connective tissue in the skin and internal organs. It is characterized by high blood pressure, burning, itching, swelling and hardening of the skin. Other symptoms include red or dark patches on the skin; pain deep in the hip bones or ribs and muscle weakness. NSF can progress to the point of causing severe stiffness in joints, and it can lead to death.

There is currently no cure for NSF and no one understands its specific cause. However, the evidence that Gadolinium MRI contrast agents play a role in its development is fast becoming irrefutable. Researchers at Yale University have reported that 95-percent of those with NSF had an MRI that involved a Gadolinium MRI contrast dye two to three months before their symptoms appeared. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital also have found that kidney patients who had undergone MRIs with Gadolinium MRI contrast dyes were 10 times more likely to develop NSF than patient who had not been exposed to such agents.

Gadolinium contrast dyes are used in MRI because they make it far easier for a diagnostician to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue. While the tests can be done without the Gadolinium based contrast agent, they are nowhere near as effective. The FDA has warned that patients with kidney problems not be given Gadolinium based MRI contrast dyes unless it is absolutely necessary because of their association with NSF. Unfortunately, there are not yet any alternatives to gadolinium based MRI contrast agents.

The CDC study of the St. Louis NSF cases only reinforces the link between NSF and Gadolinium. According to the CDC, in May 2006, nephrologists at the St. Louis hospital reported a cluster of NFS among patients treated in their dialysis units. The CDC conducted an investigation to determine the number of affected patients and identify risk factors for NFS. Of the 19 patients eventually included in the study, only five had no identified gadolinium exposure within 1 year preceding NFS diagnosis. However, of these, four had gadolinium exposure from 16 to 68 months preceding diagnosis. Thirteen patients had multiple gadolinium-containing contrast exposures during the preceding year.

According to the CDC, the study indicated that exposure to Gadolinium-containing contrast agents during MRI studies was linked with the development of NFS. The CDC cautioned that clinicians should be aware of the potential for NFS, and when possible, should avoid use of Gadolinium-containing contrast agents in patients with advanced kidney disease.

January 31st, 2008 by Staff with NewsInferno.com

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