In recent years, numerous reports have surfaced linking gadolinium to NSF (nephrogenic systemic fibrosis) and other serious side effects and injuries. Since 2006, the Food and Drug Administration has issued several warnings regarding the risks associated with gadolinium-based MRI dyes, including in June 2006, December 2006, and May 2007. Most recently, the FDA urged makers of gadolinium-based contrast agents to include a black box on the product labeling to warn of the risk of injury and NSF.
Gadolinium is used as a contrast agent in MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) dyes and is injected into a patient to create a sharper image of the body’s internal structures. What many patients do not know is that gadolinium is a heavy metal toxin—occurring naturally in the earth but not in the human body.
Patients with healthy kidneys are able to rapidly flush the gadolinium from their bodies. However, patients with kidney disease or kidney deficiencies are unable to efficiently flush the gadolinium from their bodies, and the prolonged exposure to the substance makes these patients more likely to suffer injury.
The most serious injury gadolinium has been linked to is NSF, which is an extremely rare disease that affects the skin, muscles, and internal organs. Patients who develop NSF suffer from a tightening and hardening of these areas of the body that may result in limited mobility, joint contractures, and bone pain, among other things. In the worst cases, the hardening can affect the diaphragm and other internal structures, making it difficult for the body to function properly. According to the FDA, patients have died as a result of complications related to NSF.
NSF is a relatively new disease, and medical experts have yet to discover a consistently effective treatment.
In addition to NSF, other injuries and side effects associated with gadolinium exposure include:
If you received a gadolinium-based dye prior to an MRI and subsequently suffered serious injury such as NSF, an experienced attorney can help you determine the best course of action. Contact us today to learn more about your legal rights—free of charge.
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