Gadolinium is a rare earth metal that is not normally found in the human body. In fact, significant exposure to gadolinium began only with the approval of gadolinium-based contrast agents for use in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 1988 and 2004 in the US.  The dangerous complication of using gadolinium-based contrast agents, Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), also known as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) was first identified in 1997.

 

If you suffered NSF or NFD following an MRI, the attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton stand ready to represent your rights and work for compensation for your gadolinium exposure injuries. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more.

 

MRIs and Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

 

An MRI is used by doctors to gain information about the body. It can be used to:

• Locate a tumor
• Analyze the heart, lungs, and blood flow
• Look at the soft tissue in joint injuries
• Look for disorders of the digestive tract
• Look for disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract
• Look for infections or injury

 

Because an MRI creates detailed 3D information about the body without radiation exposure, it is often a favored imaging method by doctors.

 

MRIs gain information about the body through radio signals generated by atoms in the body that are aligned in a magnetic field and then knocked out of alignment. Although the body's natural elements often give sufficient signals to diagnose many conditions, in looking at some structures or trying to get detailed information, gadolinium-based contrast agents are used because gadolinium gives a strong signal. In particular, gadolinium-based contrast agents are used in looking for tumors or analyzing the cardiovascular system.

 

Risks of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

 

When gadolinium-based contrast agents are used on people with kidney disease or renal failure, it can result in a painful, disabling condition known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosising Dermopathy.

 

Because of the increased risk of suffered NSF or NFD, the FDA added a black box warning to the label of gadolinium-based contrast agents in September 2007, indicating that they should not be used on patients with renal insufficiency. Doctors are told to screen all patients for renal dysfunction before using gadolinium-based contrast agents. They are also warned not to exceed dosages and to allow sufficient time for the body to eliminate the gadolinium before giving more.

 

If your doctor failed to follow this recommended procedure, it may be considered medical malpractice.

 

Work with Recognized Leaders in Pharmaceutical Litigation

 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with NSF or NFD, schedule a free gadolinium lawsuit consultation with the experienced pharmaceutical litigation attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton today. Our attorneys are national leaders in gadolinium litigation and have been appointed to the Plaintiff's Steering Committee (PSC) for the hundreds of cases in the multi district litigation involving gadolinium based contrast agents.  The Gadolinium PSC is a small group of attorneys leading MRI lawsuit and gadolinium litigation nationwide.