Gadolinium Injury Attorneys

When people are dealing with internal injuries and illnesses, technology is necessary to help diagnose and track the progress of the problem. One of the most innovative and useful new techniques that's been introduced to the medical world in recent decades is the MRI scan, which is seen as a much more detailed and worthwhile practice than the 'traditional' practice of using X-ray technology.

As MRI's became more prevalent, some began to look for ways to improve doctors' ability to analyze the results. The element Gadolinium was ultimately seen as a potential aid in this regard, and it was introduced to the medical market for that purpose. Below you'll find information regarding Gadolinium, the problems it encountered, the reaction to the problem by the government and society, and ultimately how you should proceed if you've been harmed by this substance.

Gadolinium - MRI Contrasting Agent

Gadolinium is an element, and it was originally discovered in 1880 and added to the Periodic Table. For decades, not much was made of Gadolinium and how it could be applied to modern day products. However, researchers eventually realized that the properties associated with Gadolinium could be of use with the relatively new technology that was the MRI scan.

MRI Contrasting Agents and Dye

Therefore, companies began to formulate contrasting agents that would create a greater visual contrast on the MRI results, and the FDA approved the use of Gadolinium for this purpose in 1988. Since then, five different brand name products have been introduced to the market that contain Gadolinium. These products are:
  • Magnevist
  • MultiHance
  • Omniscan
  • OptiMARK
  • ProHance
These products work by having the medical care professionals inject the Gadolinium-containing contrast agent into the patient's system prior to an MRI. When the scan is complete, the contrasting colors allow for easier, faster and potentially more accurate readings of the results. For a time, the agents seemed to work quite well, but eventually problems were encountered.

MRI Injury and Gadolinium Side Effects

Unfortunately, after a few years on the market, reports of side effects began to surface after patients had undergone MRI's, and the common variable was Gadolinium-containing contrast agents. The side effect that garnered the most attention because of its serious nature and high number of reports is a condition known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis/Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD). What was particularly troubling was that patients who had experienced kidney problems in their past were particularly vulnerable to NSF/NSD.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis - Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy

NSF/NSD is an otherwise rare condition that remains somewhat of a mystery to the medical science world because of the low number of cases that have been recorded. NSF/NSD is a medical condition whereby a patient's skin progressively hardens to the point where mobility is substantially decreased if not removed as an option for the patient altogether.

As the skin continues to thicken, bones become vulnerable to breaking, and cases traced to Gadolinium have noted that these breaking bones typically occur in the joint areas where the stress of this skin thickening is occurring on top of relatively vulnerable bone matter. The common symptoms of NSF/NFD include:
  • Tightening of the skin
  • Muscle weakness
  • Bone pain
  • Red patches on the skin
  • Lesions forming on the skin
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and you've recently undergone an MRI, seek medical attention immediately, as undiagnosed and untreated NSF/NSD can ultimately prove to be fatal.

Government Reaction to Gadolinium

After receiving these negative reports, the FDA acted officially in May of 2007. The agency issued a public health warning and asked manufacturers of Gadolinium-containing contrast agents to include what's known as a 'Black Box Warning' on all containers of products that contain this element. The warning must clearly state the risk of developing NSF/NSD in patients who have had kidney problems in the past.

Although these products have not been recalled, civil lawsuits have been filed all over the United States on behalf of those who had developed NSF/NSD after receiving a Gadolinium-containing injection, and this is always an option for those who have been harmed even without official government action.

Gadolinium Injury Lawsuit, Attorney and Lawyer - Take Action

If you or someone you love has developed NSF/NSD as a result of having a Gadolinium-containing contrast agent injected prior to an MRI, you need to contact the defective drugs lawyers at Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation. You may have legal rights and options that need to be protected and enforced.
 



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