GADOLINIUM USE WITH MRI CAN LEAD TO NEPHROGENIC SYSTEMIC FIBROSIS (NSF) CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

Gadolinium is an element which medical professionals use to create contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Recently, gadolinium-based contrast agents have been shown to pose a severe risk to patients with kidney problems. In these patients, gadolinium exposure can lead to a dangerous syndrome called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), also known as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy, causing serious injury and sometimes death. If you or a loved one has been developed Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or its symptoms as a result of gadolinium use in California, please seek the advice and knowledge of an experienced attorney. Call The Rudman Law Firm, PLC now for your free consultation at 1-800-ALAWPRO.

Gadolinium Usage in MRI's and MRA's
MRI's (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and MRA's (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) are medical techniques used in radiology to see inside the body, especially to view cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological and oncological structures. MRI's use a magnetic field aligned with a nuclear magnetization to get a picture of what's going on inside. Sometimes, a "contrast agent" may be injected intravenously, allowing for the enhancement of the picture provided by the MRI. Gadolinium is used to create contrast agents for MRI usage.

Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents
Multiple contrast agents contain gadolinium. Following is a list of contrast agents which possess a gadolinium base:

• Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine) - maker:Bayer Schering, Germany
• MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine) - maker: Bracco Diagnostics, USA
• Omniscan (gadodiamide) - maker: GE Healthcare, U.K.
• OptiMARK (gadoversetamide) - maker: Mallinkrodt Inc, USA
• ProHance (gadoteridol) - maker: Bracco Diagnostics, USA

Gadolinium History
Since the early 1980's, gadolinium has been used in MRI and MRA diagnostic testing. Approximately 200 million people have received gadolinium-contrast agents since that time. Omniscan (gadodiamide), a gadolinium-based contrast agent, is the agent most commonly resulting in Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). Estimates put the number of people treated with Omniscan at 30 million.

In mid-2006, a public health advisory by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned physicians about the dangers of gadolinium, but with little effect. One of the manufactures of gadolinium-based agents also issued a warning at this time. Later that year, more serious advancements were taken to warn medical professionals about the risk of gadolinium.

Gadolinium FDA Warning
As of this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested a "black box" warning on all gadolinium-based contrast agents, warning of the possible risks of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. The "black box" warning is the strongest given by the FDA. Additionally, the FDA recommends that patients who are to receive gadolinium-based contrast agents first be screened for kidney problems. Per the FDA, patients with liver and kidney problems should not receive gadolinium. Even so, it is not certain whether the manufacturers of gadolinium-based agents will comply with the FDA's black box warning request.

Gadolinium and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)
Gadolinium is not unsafe for all people. Gadolinium is processed and eliminated through the kidneys. People with kidney problems, such as renal insufficiency, have a more difficult time processing gadolinium, which could be the cause for NSF. Patients with kidney and liver problems are at risk for developing NSF, while those with otherwise healthy liver and kidney functioning are not at risk.

Please see our page on Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis for more information.