If you have a history of kidney or liver dysfunction, and became ill after receiving an MRI or MRA, you may have been exposed to Gadolinium.

Experienced Gadolinium Lawyers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration 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.

Gadolinium is an injected substance used to help patients and doctors receive optimum results from MRI tests. It is a non-radioactive chemical that acts as a contrast agent, so when it is absorbed by the patient’s unhealthy or damaged tissue, the affected areas show up as bright areas on the MRI results, making it easier for doctors to diagnose the patient’s medical condition.

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.

The warning is to be added to the labels of the five gadolinium-based contrast agents that are FDA-approved:

• Gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist), by Bayer Schering Pharma
• Gadodiamide (Ominiscan), by GE Healthcare
• Gadoversetamide (OptiMARK), by Mallinckrodt Inc.
• Gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance), by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
• Gadoteridol (ProHance), by Bracco Diagnostics Inc.

The FDA recommends that patients be screened for kidney problems prior to receiving one of the above imaging agents. There have been no reports of NSF / NFD among patients with normal kidney function, or those with mild-to-moderate kidney insufficiency.

NSF / NFD is characterized by areas of tight and rigid skin that makes it difficult to bend joints. It may also result in fibrosis or scarring of body organs resulting in the inability of body organs to work properly – which can lead to death.

Symptoms of NSF / NFD include:

• Burning
• Itching
• Swelling
• Hardening and tightening of the skin, usually in the extremities
• Skin texture changes, one not dissimilar to an orange peel
• Red or dark patches on the skin
• Yellow spots on the white of the eyes
• Stiffness in joints and trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs or feet
• Pain deep in the hip bones or ribs
• Calcification of muscle, skin, tendons
• Muscle weakness
• Symmetrical skin lesions, commonly on the ankles and thighs

The cause of NSF / NFD is not known and there is no consistently effective treatment of this condition. Problems that arise in patients with this condition:

• Within weeks of onset, many patients become dependent on a wheelchair.
• Several patients have died because of complications from fractures after falls triggered by their mobility problems.
• Many patients complain of maddening pruritus (itching)

Brown & Crouppen is investigating cases involving gadolinium-containing contrast agents used in patients with kidney failure and NSF / NFD. If you or someone you love is experiencing such complications, you should first contact your doctor. Then, call Brown & Crouppen.

At Brown & Crouppen our experienced team of gadolinium lawyers provides tough, aggressive representation for gadolinium victims and their families. When you choose us to handle your lawsuit, our entire team becomes fully committed to your cause. We’ll find answers, hold negligent companies responsible and get you the compensation you deserve.

Brown & Crouppen can help you make informed decisions about your legal rights, so please call Brown & Crouppen at Toll-Free: 1-888-891-2022 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

Call Brown & Crouppen at Toll-Free: 888-891-2022 for your free
legal consultation or save time with our online Contact Form.

Toll-Free: 888-891-2022