An FDA-appointed panel has ruled that restrictions should be placed on the use of gadolinium contrast agents (commonly used in medical imaging scans) after convincing evidence has linked the agents to a potentially fatal skin-hardening disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Sources say that NSF is a progressive disease that can cause the skin to thicken and harden in the arms, legs, and extremities.

While the FDA does not have to follow the advice of it's appointed panels, sources say that a panel recommendation often goes a long way toward implementing new regulations. 

If you or someone you love has suffered NSF or other health problems caused by gadolinium contrast agents, contact the NSF attorneys of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187 today.

U.S. drug reviewers released a report on Tuesday indicating that the use of some contrast agents is riskier than others. According to the report, people who use these drugs have a better chance of contracting certain skin diseases. 

These drugs include GE Healthcare's Omniscan, Bayer AG's Magnevist and Covidien's Optimark. The Food and Drug Administration linked these drugs to such diseases as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. 

If you or anyone you know has used these contrast agents, contact the gadolinium lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187. 

Magnetic resonance imaging scanners work by detecting various points in a patient's body and building a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional image of the body. The image is created using magnetic imaging and radio waves. 

MRIs are a very useful diagnositc tool for doctors because they provide doctors with extraordinary detail of the body's tissues. Doctors can use this tissue to determine if there are tissue abnormalities or if the blood is not flowing properly in some part of the body. 

In some cases, doctors will use a contrasting agent to refine the image. Some of these agents, however, have been linked to cancer and other side effects.

If you or anyone you know has experienced adverse side effects resulting from a gadolinium-based agent, contact the gadolinium lawyers of Williams Kherker at 800-761-3187. 

The FDA has released its list of drugs that are being reviewed for safety problems. These drugs include gadolinium-based contrast agents, which are used during magnetic resonance imaging. 

The FDA is investigating these drugs for potential links to anaphylaxis hypersensitivity. The drugs have already been linked to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. 

If you or anyone you know has received a gadolinium-based contrast agent, contact the NSF and NFD lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified a link between gadolinium-based contrast agents and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, the FDA has taken very few actions to prevent the use of the contrast agent in MRI scans. 

Because these contrast agents are still used in some MRI scans, it is important to be able to identify when gadolinium-based contrast agents are used in MRIs. The five most common types of these contrast agents are Magnevist, MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, and Prohance.

If you have received an MRI with a gadolinium-based contrast agent, contact the NSF and NSD lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 800-761-3187.

According to a study published in the American Roentgen Ray Society, exposure to gadolinium and other contrast agents can lead to adverse effects. While the rate of incidence is low, the study confirms the potential danger of these contrast agents. While most of the injuries caused by exposure are mild and can be treated, some are more serious and require serious medical attention.

The study was conducted by three researchers from the Mayo Clinic's Department of Radiology. The paper was titled "Frequency and Severity of Adverse Effects of Iodinated and Gadolinium Contrast Materials: Retrospective Review of 456,930 Doses." 

If you or anyone you know has been exposed to gadolinium and has suffered adverse effects, contact the NSF and NSD lawyers of Williams & Kherkher 800-761-3187.

Gadolinium is one of many metals being used in high-tech devices. These types of metals, which are heavily mined in China, are commonly known as rare-earth metals. 

Other types of rare-earth metals include cerium, samarium, europium, erbium, and thulium, among others. These metals are often used in products like magnets for cars, wind turbines, computer monitors, and televisions. 

Although these metals have helped engineer many technological breakthroughs, some can have harmful side effects. Among those is gadolinium, which is used as a contrast agent in MRIs and may lead to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) and Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD).

If you have been exposed to gadolinium, contact the NSF and NSF lawyers of Williams and Kherkher at 800-761-3187.