Have you or a loved one who suffers from kidney problems had an MRI or MRA? A gadolinium-based dye may have been used during the procedure and you may be at risk for a serious disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), also called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this debilitating disease, you may want to speak with a personal injury attorney who can assist with filing a gadolinium lawsuit.
Gadolinium-based dyes are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in MRI testing. Sometimes gadolinium-based dyes are used with MRA tests, although the FDA has not approved this use. Gadolinium is a chemical element. When used as a contrasting dye, it provides an improved image of body organs and tissues. The following gadolinium-based dyes have been approved by the FDA:
In May of 2007, the FDA issued a statement to announce that manufacturers of gadolinium-based dyes will be required to include a warning on package labels (Read FDA statement here). The warning will explain that patients with kidney problems who receive gadolinium-based dyes are at risk for developing NSF, a dangerous and potentially fatal disease. In addition, the warning will state that patients just before or just after liver transplantation, or those with chronic liver disease, are also at risk for developing NSF.
Patients with NSF develop thickening of the skin and connective tissues that inhibits their ability to move and may result in broken bones. Other organs are at risk of thickening as well. The cause of NSF is unknown and there is no consistently effective treatment of this condition. NSF has only been reported in patients with severe kidney or liver problems.
Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
(Read additional questions and answers concerning gadolinium here).
If you or a loved one is suffering from kidney or liver damage and had an MRI/MRA using a gadolinium contrast agent, resulting in the diagnosis of NFS/NFD, let a personal injury attorney advise you about a potential gadolinium lawsuit. An injury lawyer familiar with new developments in the investigation of gadolinium may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions.
Please contact the law offices of d'Oliveira & Associates at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.