Gadolinium MRI Dye South Carolina Injury Lawyers

MRI Dye Linked to Skin Disease NSF –

If you have received an MRI/MRA scan within the last 18 months, you might be susceptible to developing a rare but potentially fatal skin disease called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).

NSF is an incurable skin disease that has been found in numerous male and female patients of all ages who have been diagnosed with kidney disease. The first case was reported 10 years ago and the number of cases have been steadily increasing throught the past decade.

The FDA recently stated that 200 cases of NSF have been discovered worldwide in patients who had been given the Gadolinium based MRI dye injection.

“The FDA has received additional information about a new disease, known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD), which may occur in patients with moderate to end-stage kidney disease after they have had a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) scan with a gadolinium-based contrast agent.”

What is this contrast agent used for?

“Gadolinium-based contrast agents are commonly used to improve the visibility of internal structures when patients undergo an MRI. ”

During MRI/MRA scans, a patient is injected with a Gadolinium-based contrast agent that allows the blood vessels to be viewed easily from other internal tissues so doctors can differentiate any abnormalities such as tumors or clots from normal tissue.

What are some symptoms of NSF?

Some symptoms that NSF patients experience include weakened muscles, joint pain, lesioins on the skin, burning sensation on the lesions, and swelling / hardening in the skin of their extremities (which may immobilize them from completely exteding their joints).

The average time it takes for symptoms to appear is about one month, but some reports show symptoms not developing until up to 18 months after being injected with the dye.

There are different levels of NSF, resulting in varying levels of pain and immobility. Patients with extreme stages of NSF are often not able to walk and find it very painful to extend the joints in their arms and legs. Patients with mild symptoms of NSF, such as joint stiffness and feeling weak, may still be able to function in everyday life.

NSF is a serious disease, if you or a loved one developed NSF after being exposed to a Gadolinium based MRI/MRA dye, contact the Law Offices of the Stampfle Law Firm, LLC at 1-843-839-3377 for a FREE Consultation to discuss your legal options.