Some patients who are on kidney dialysis develop a condition termed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).   This condition leads to thickened, rough or hard skin, usually on the arms legs or trunk.  In some cases the condition becomes so sever the limbs can be difficult or even impossible to move. Recent research has indicated NSF is possibly linked to the injection of a contrast agent called gadolininium during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  Until this time, it has not been known what causes NSF, but scientists have now linked the condition with the injection of gadolininium.  It is believed that the gadolininium cause the patient to produce an enzyme which is released throughout the body that is involved in blood clotting and wound healing.  Since there is no blood to clot or wounds to heal, the enzyme works in an adverse manner causing the thickening of the skin and sometimes even the heart and the lungs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration now requires a warning about the potential risk of NSF on the products’ label for the MRI contrast agents that contain gadolininium.  To learn more, please contact the Gadolinium Lawyers at Williams Kherkher by calling 1.800.220.9341.