MRI / MRA Contrast Solution - Gadolinium

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently has ordered black-box warnings for all gadolinium-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, or MRIs, to alert physicians of possible severe kidney damage in at-risk patients who receive such contrast agents. The boxed message will detail an increased risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), a potentially fatal disease. NSF is sometimes called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NSD). In addition to kidney patients, the warning also extends to patients with chronic liver disease, including those just before or after liver transplantation.

Some of the most common "brands" of contrasting agents that contain gadolinium are, Omniscan, OptiMARK, Magevist, ProHance, and MultiHance. You will probably not know what is used during your procedure, but we want to give you the names. There are other products, but these are the gadolinium-containing contrast agents that are most often used.

What is NSF / NFD

In recent years, serious problems have arisen involving the use of gadolinium in patients who have kidney problems or renal disease. When gadolinium is injected into an otherwise-healthy patient, it is removed by the kidneys after the examination, and does not cause problems.However, those with kidney problems are generally unable to get rid of the dye as quickly as others, which results in prolonged exposure to the agent. Prolonged exposure to gadolinium can result in the development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), which is also known as Nephrogrenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD). This progressive disorder can cause fibrosis, or scarring, of the skin and internal organs. It may result in thickening of the skin, hardening of the skin, breathing difficulties, and muscle weakness   There are no known cures for these disorders, and they can lead to a painful prognosis.

If you had an MRI / MRA test and were given a contrast agent, and have developed these conditions, please fill out and submit our confidential questionnaire, or contact attorney William Bross by email at wlbross@hgdlawfirm.com, or phone Heninger Garrison Davis at 1-800-241-9779.