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MRI GADOLINIUM KIDNEY FAILURE
by Jane Mundy
Gadolinium, a chemical use during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRA tests, has been linked to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), a condition that affects patients suffering from kidney failure. Also called Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD), the results of contracting this condition can be life-threatening, especially in patients with kidney malfunction, patients just before or after liver transplantation, or patients with chronic liver disease. There is no cure.
Gadolinium is injected into a patient and acts as a contrast agent: unhealthy or damaged tissue appears very bright on their MRI results, therefore making it easier for doctors to determine a diagnosis. However, just one test may prove risky: the FDA has reported that NSF can develop following a single gadolinium injection and symptoms can develop just days after exposure to a contrast agent or up to 18months later.
So far the agency has received reports of about 128 patients diagnosed with NSF/NFD.
NFD, later named NSF, was first identified in 1997. Patients with reduced kidney function had developed patches of hard and thick skin and it was later determine that scarring could also form on internal organs. However, adverse side effects can also occur in patients without kidney problems: the chemical can also cause irritation to the vein and potentially cause blood clots, serious skin problems and more.
NSF/NFD symptoms usually begin with thickened and hard, rough skin, followed by difficulty moving limbs, or sometimes restricting movement entirely. This disease can also lead to death.
Symptoms of NSF/NFD also include:
- Burning and itching, sharp pains in affected areas
- Swelling and tightening of the skin, usually in the extremities
- Red or dark patches on the skin
- Yellow spots or plaques near and on the whites of the eyes
- Stiffness in joints and difficulty moving arms and legs
- Pain deep in the hip bones or ribs
- Muscle weakness
- Hypertension usually precedes skin lesions
The following five gadolinium contrast agents were approved by the FDA between 1988 and 2004:
Omniscan (gadodiamide)
MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine)
Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine)
ProHance (gadoteridol)
OptiMARK (gadoversetamide)
In early 2006, the Danish Medicines Agency reported a link in 25 patients with Gadolinium and NSF or NFD. The patients developed NSF over a four year period after being injected with Omniscan.
According to First Coast News, In June 2006, GE Healthcare (one company that manufactures the contrast agent) sent out an alert to medical professionals warning of a possible link between kidney patients, the contrast agent and NSF. A lawsuit was subsequently filed against GE Healthcare claiming that the company was negligent.
In December 2006, the FDA said that patients with “moderate renal insufficiency” are at risk for developing NSF.
On May 23, 2007 the FDA asked the five manufacturers (above) to include a black box warning and a new Warnings section to their labels to describe the risk of developing NSF on the product labeling of all gadolinium-based contrast agents.
If you have had any symptoms after being exposed to a gadolinium contrast agent, see your doctor immediately and get tested (a skin biopsy) for NSF/NFD—early detection may slow the progression of this disease.
If you have been diagnosed with NSF/NFD, you may also want to contact a lawyer.
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