Since gadolinium-based contast agents were declared to be a potential cause for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in 2005, hundreds of cases have been filed lawsuits against doctors who use these contrast agents and the makers of the contrast agents.

Among the manufacturers of the MRI contrast agents, the four most popular are General Electric, Bayer, Bracco and Tyco/Malinckrodt. Of those, many of the lawsuits have involved GE's Omniscan, although lawsuits have been filed against the other three as well.

Judges handling many of these lawsuits are currently determining which lawsuits have similar allegations and merits, and sorting these cases according to those analyses. Many lawyers expect that certain judges will handle similar types of lawsuits, given the complications and technicalities involved in gadolinium-based charges.

If you or anyone you know has been exposed to a gadolinium-based contrast agent, contact the Houston NSF lawyers of Williams Kherker at 800-761-3187.

When a patient undergoes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) scan, doctos occasionally inject a gadolinium contrast agent into the patient's body to improve the resolution of the MRI images. The contrast agents essentially make certain parts of the body brighter. 

Identifying when a gadolinium contrast agent might be used can be difficult because it comes under certain brand names. The most common brand names include the following:

• Magnevist 
• Omniscan
• ProHance
• MultiHance
• OptiMark
  

Identifying the contrast agent can be important in a case involving Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD). 

If you or anyone you know has contracted NSF/NFD, please contact the Houston gadolinium lawyers of Williams and Kherker at 800-761-3187.

Gadolinium toxicity is a serious health issue that patients with symptoms should address immediately. Patients who have recently had MRIs with the gadolinium contrast agent and are currently suffering from kidney problems, it is possible that they are suffering from Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. 

If a patient suspects that he suffers from NSF, that patient should first seek medical attention. In the case that the patient receives a diagnosis of gadolinium toxicity, the patient should then seeek legal help.

In many NSF cases, a patient is entitled to part or full financial compensation. That compensation includes payments not only for expenses to treat the disease but also compensation for any pain and suffering endured as a result of NSF.

If you or anyone you know has been diagnosed with NSF, contact the Houston NSF attorneys of Williams Kherker at 800-761-3187.

Because NSF is a relatively new disease, the history of the disease is not well understood.

In some cases, patients report a gradual improvement in mobility and softening of the skin over time. However, no cases of spontaneous healing have been reported. 

Some patients with NSF have experienced a rapid disease course that has resulted in death. NSF does not directly cause death, but may contribute to loss of life by creating a number of bodily complications. 

If you or anyone you know has contracted NSF, contact the Houston NSF lawyers of Williams Kherker at 800-761-3187.