Doctors may be administering MRI's too often to screen for breast cancer, according to the Center for Disease Controls.

The CDC recommends a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast, every two years for women between the ages of 50 and 74, but MRI's have become more popular over the last few years. Breast magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is the most thorough screening for breast cancer and many physicians are opting to skip preliminary tests, which could be detrimental to their pacients.

"We use a contrast injection of a special liquid metal substance called gadolinium to help provide a better image," said Joni Kelley, MRI team leader at Marietta Memorial Hospital.

While gadolinium can help doctors obtain better results from MRI's, gadolinium-based contast agents have been linked to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, formerly known as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. Gadolinium-based contrast agents can result in the development of this progressive disorder which causes thickening and scarring of the skin and internal organs. It is a potentially fatal condition.

If you have developed NSF after being administered an gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent, please contact a gadolinium attorney of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-761-3187.