Gadolinium based contrast agents that are used in MRIs have been linked with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis(NSF)/Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) in patients with kidney disease. Recently, the FDA released information that suggests MRAs, a variation of MRIs, that use gadolinium based contrast agents may pose more of a risk of causing NSF than they do in traditional MRIs. MRAs provide information that isn't given in an ultrasound, X-ray or CT scan. Although this infomation is important in detecting aneurysms, blood clots, and plaquw buildup in blood, the dangers of gadolinium based contrast agents can't be ignored. In order to be effective in an MRA, three times the approved amount of gadolinium must be injected before the MRA takes place. This amount of gadolinium can easily cause cases of NSF and NSD. For more information contact the Gadolinium Lawyers at Williams Kherkher by calling 1-800-220-9341.

An elderly man in Northern California has sued various health companies after he contracted an incurable disease due to the dyes used in an MRI. Around 215 cases of gadolinium causing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or nephrogenic fibrosing demopathy have been reported worldwide. No cures have been found but some patients see improvement in their condition after treatments. The FDA issued an warning to kidney disease patients, advising them to avoid medical scans that use gadolinium based contrast agents. Peter Gerber, the man suing the health companies, calims to have never been informed of the potential dangers of gadolinium. Other similar lawsuits have been filed in Florida and Ohio. To learn more contact the Gadolinium Lawyers at Williams Kherkher by calling 1-800-220-9341.

Manufacturers of Gadolinium-based contrast agents issued a Dear Healthcare Professional letter to inform healthcare professionals of the addition of a BOXED WARNING and revisions to the WARNING section of the prescribing information for Gadolinium-based contrast agents used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).The text of the letter is as follows:Dear Healthcare Professional, The manufacturers of gadolinium-based contrast agents would like to inform you of important revisions to the prescribing information for the products listed in alphabetical order above. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Post-marketing reports show that the use of these agents increases the risk of the development of a serious medical condition called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate <30mL/min/1.73m2) and patients with renal dysfunction due to the hepatorenal syndrome or in the perioperative liver transplantation period.NSF leads to excessive formation of connective tissue in the skin and internal organs. NSF is progressive and may be debilitating or fatal. As of today, the FDA has received reports of over 250 cases of NSF after administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents.As a result of these NSF cases, the package inserts of all gadolinium-based contrast agents have been revised to include the following Boxed Warning and update to the WARNINGS section.

Call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088)

For more information, contact Gadolinium Lawyers at Williams Kherkher by calling 1.800.220.9341.

Gadolinium (chemical symbol “Gd”) is a chemical element listed on the Periodic Table.  It was named after the Finnish chemist John Gadolin  (1760-1852) to honor his research in rare earth metals.   Gadolinium is a silvery-white rare metal which occurs naturally on Earth and is relatively stable in dry air unlike other s of that classification.  It is not found in nature in its free form, but is contained in rare minerals and must be chemically extracted.  It cost $130.00 per kilogram in 2005.In addition to its use as an intravenous radiocontrast agent given to patients undergoing an MRI, it is used to manufacture or produce components used in mircrowave applications, TV tubes, compact discs, computer memory and as a burnable poison in nuclear marine propulsion systems.

Its paramagnetic properties make it useful for other imaging besides MRI’s, such as X-rays ,PET scans and a bone density gauge for osteoporosis screening, although Gadolinium is ingested only for MRI applications.  Gadolinium compounds, as with other chemical elements in its class of “lanthanides,” are of low to moderate toxicity.  Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) was first described in medical literature in 2000 in patients with purportedly moderate renal insufficiency.  The association between NSF and Gadolinium-based contrast agents was first reported in Danish Medicines Press release issued on May 29, 2006.

For more information, contact Gadolinium Lawyers at Williams Kherkher at 1.800.220.9341.

Reporting in the October issue of the American Journal of Dermatopathology, Researchers at Wake Forest University, Baptist Medical Center suggest a possible explanation for why some patients on kidney dialysis who are injected with a "contrast agent" during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) develop nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). a rare tightening and swelling of the skin and other organs, including the lungs and heart The researchers tested the hypothesis that TG2, an enzyme known as transglutaminase-2, may be involved in the response. The enzyme is found throughout the body and is involved in blood clotting and wound healing. They hypothesized that gadolinium may activate the enzyme and cause NSF.  The group obtained skin biopsies from five people with NSF and three healthy people. All NSF patients had renal failure and had previously had imaging procedures using gadolinium. The researchers tested for the presence of TG2 in the skin samples. "Compared to the healthy subjects, there was a marked increase in TG2 in the subjects with NSF," said Sane. "This suggests that activation of TG2 can produce the syndrome. TG2 is expressed in virtually all tissues and may explain why the fibrosis can occur in the heart and lungs, as well as the skin." 

"Our research is a pilot study, but we believe the results warrant further research into the use of TG-2 inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of NSF," said Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., co-senior researcher, and a dermatologist. "Solving this puzzle might allow dialysis patients to take full advantage of the diagnostic capabilities of MRI."

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

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have asked manufacturers of all gadolinium-based contrast agents to include a new boxed warning on the product labeling. These agents are used to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).The warning states that patients with severe kidney insufficiency are at risk for developing a debilitating, and a potentially fatal disease known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) if they receive gadolinium-based agents. In addition, the warning would also state that another group of patients at risk for developing NSF as those patients with chronic liver disease and patients just before or just after liver transplantation. "FDA has been carefully monitoring potential safety signals related to these contrast agents after receiving reports about the risk of this potentially life-threatening disease," said Steven Galson, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "This latest action demonstrates FDA's continuing vigilance about ensuring the safety of drug products once they enter the marketplace." Patients with NSF develop thickening of the connective tissues and skin and that inhibits their ability to move and may result in broken bones. Other organs are also at risk of thickening. The cause of NSF is not known and there is no consistently effective treatment for this condition. To learn more, contact the Gadolinium lawyers at Williams Kherkher by calling 1.800.220.9341.