Gadolinium MRI Imagine Injection Causes Rare Skin & Muscle Disorder

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Gadolinium is a FDA-approved contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It provides contrast between normal tissue and abnormal tissue in the brain and body. Gadolinium looks clear like water and is non-radioactive. After injected into a vein, Gadolinium accumulates in the abnormal tissue that may be affecting the body or head. Gadolinium causes these abnormal areas to become enhanced and easy to view on the MRI.

In 2007, the FDA asked manufacturers to include a new boxed warning on product labeling of all gadolinium-based contract agents warning practitioners not to use for patients who suffer from kidney disease. Patients with renal problems who receive the gadolinium injection are susceptible to developing a rare debilitating disease called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) also called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) which is a hardening or thickening of the skin and muscles.

For a person with normally functioning kidneys, gadolinium is eliminated from the body in less than two hours. However, in people with kidney problems, it can take up to 36 hours to eliminate toxic gadolinium.

NSF symptoms include swelling and tightening of the skin, skin that inhibits flexibility, burning and itchy skin, skin lesions, muscle weakness, deep bone pain, and hypertension.

Symptoms can appear from one week to 18 months later. There is no successful treatment to improve the quality of life and NSF/NSD may lead to death caused by renal failure complications.

There is no other way to get NSF except through the gadolinium injection and there is no cure.

How can it be that the manufacturers of MRI imaging ingredients didn't know how destructive gadolinium could be on compromised kidneys? Do you have a gadolinium drug injury lawsuit? In PA, NJ, and WV, contact the of counsel law firm of Anapol Schwartz.