Gadolinium Attorneys

Gadolinium contrast agents have long been used in MRIs to enhance the quality of images. But in some patients, Gadolinium can have a toxic affect, causing a condition known of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)

Gadolinium contrast agents are injected into the bloodstream right before an individual undergoes an MRI. The Gadolinium helps the MRI computer to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue. In 2006, researchers discovered that the use of Gadolinium based contrast agents had a direct correlation to the development of NSF in patients with pre-existing kidney problems. After this, the FDA warned healthcare professionals that Gadolinium based agents had been tied to cases of NSF. Although these cases were not limited to one Gadolinium based contrast agent, three were most often associated with the onset of NSF. Those three were Ominiscan made by GE Healthcare, Magnevist marketed by Bayer Shering Pharma, and OptiMark manufactured by Mallinckrodt, Inc.

NSF is a disease that causes burning, itching, swelling and hardening of the skin. Other symptoms include red or dark patches on the skin; pain deep in the hipbones or ribs and muscle weakness. NSF can progress to the point of causing severe stiffness in joints, and it can lead to death. At this time, there is no treatment or cure for NSF. For many patients with NSF, the only way to improve their kidney function is with a transplant.

In May 2007, the FDA requested that the manufactures of the five Gadolinium based contrast agents used in MRIs include a boxed warning on product labels highlighting the risk they posed to patients with kidney problems. The FDA warned that patients who are at risk for NSF should be monitored by their doctors, and told to report any symptoms associated with the condition immediately.

If you or someone you love has developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after being administered Gadolinium, you may be able to recover compensation for the losses you have incurred, including pain, suffering, medical treatment costs, and more. Please contact our service today. We can help get you in touch with an experienced Gadolinium attorney who can inform you of your legal options and help you get on the right course to recovering your losses.