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Researchers Take A Second Look at Gadolinium Dyes and NSF

By Katie Kelley

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 13Oct2008 Word count: 533 Viewed: 549 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Investigators and scientists from the Division of Nephrology at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center recently began reinvestigating the link between "gadolinium based magnetic resonance imaging agents and the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease or acute kidney disease," according to an article from Uro Today, a publication for urologists.

The group of researchers are attempting to better understand the development of the rare condition as well as to provide more adequate details and regulation for administering gadolinium contrast dye among at-risk individuals.

The researchers believe that gadolinium-based contrast dyes should be given on a case-by-case basis and each individual should be thoroughly evaluated prior to receiving magnetic resonance imaging procedures that require the administration of such contrast dyes as gadolinium.

The scientists also found that the development of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) depends on "the degree of renal dysfunction, dose of contrast agent," according to the article. NSF is a new condition that develops among kidney disease patients who receive contrast dyes, such as gadolinium, for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).

Details of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

Nehprogenic Systemic Fibrosis is a condition that is relatively new to the medical community and develops among a small and rare population of individuals who receive gadolinium dyes during MRI/MRA procedures, however, the individuals who develop NSF also suffer from kidney disease or kidney failure.

Continued or chronic kidney disease is a condition that affects the kidney's ability to properly remove wastes within the body. Kidney disease can become fatal among patients who are not properly diagnosed or among individuals who suffer complications from kidney disease, which include the following, according to the National Kidney Foundation:

* high blood pressure

* anemia (low blood count)

* weak bones

* nerve damage

* poor nutritional health.

Kidney disease is the main common thread among patients who are diagnosed with NSF of patients who have also received contrast dyes during MRI/MRA procedures. NSF is a very painful and debilitating drug that can often affect an individual's mobility once the condition has advanced. According to the American Journal of Roentgenology, some of the NSF symptoms include:

* edema or swelling

* athralgia

* myalgia

* extremity weakness

* persistent skin fibrosis

* woody induration of skin

* skin tightness

* skin thickening

* stiffness in both lower and upper extremities

Treating NSF

Unfortunately, there are no current treatments for NSF that can adequately cure all signs and symptoms of the painful condition. But because the illness is a fairly new disease, physicians, scientists and researchers are continuing their work on trying to discover a treatment. However, it is important that an individual who has suffered from NSF contact an experienced medical attorney to better understand the legalities surrounding diagnosis of this disease. Because the disease is the cause of potential medical error it may be possible for an NSF victim to develop a gadolinium or nephrogenic systemic fibrosis lawsuit to earn monetary compensation for the painful and immobilizing disease.

To learn more about the condition, consult an attorney who is knowledgeable of the development NSF derived from gadolinium dyes. A legal consultation is often free of charge and will offer insightful details as to the steps in creating an NSF litigation.

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