Have You had an MRI or MRA?

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As of December, the FDA had received reports of 90 patients with

moderate to end-stage kidney disease who developed NSF/NFD after

having an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or MRA (Magnetic

Resonance Angiography) scan with a gadolinium-based contrast agent.

An MRI scan is performed to take a clear detailed picture of a

patient's internal organs and tissue and an MRA is used to take a

detailed picture of a patient's blood vessels. During some MRI scans

and all MRA scans, a gadolinium-based contrast agent is injected

into the patient's vein so blood vessels can be distinguished from

other nearby tissues. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued

a second Public Health Advisory in December 2006 about a new skin

disorder known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic

Fibrosing Dermotherapy (NSF/NFD). The disease is debilitating and

may cause death.

In a pivotal study in 2006 conducted by Dr. T. Grobner it was noted

that 5 of their 9 patients diagnosed with NSF had received a MRI

involving use of Contrast Dye

At the current time, NSF/NFD is believed to develop over a period of

days to several weeks.

• Red or dark patches

• Skin may feel " woody " and surface may resemble the texture of

the peel of an orange

• Contracting and or locking joints

• Skin lesions

• Yellow papules or plaques on or near the eyes.

Patients with NSF/NFD describe swelling and tightening of the skin,

usually limited to the extremities, but sometimes involving the

trunk. In many cases, the skin thickening inhibits the flexion and

extension of joints, resulting in contractures. Severely affected

patients may be unable to walk, or fully extend the joints of their

arms, hands, legs, and feet. Complaints of muscle weakness are

common.

Other organs might be affected, including the lungs, liver, muscles,

and heart. About 5% of patients have very rapid and progressive

disease development, and some patients may die.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) / Nephrogenic Fibrosing

Dermopathy (NFD), described in 2000, is an emerging systemic

disorder characterized by widespread tissue fibrosis.

NFS/NFD was not known to the medical community before March 1997 and

some medical authors suggest that the sudden occurrence of the

disease in the last 8 years makes it likely that a new agent or

technique of examination causes it. Currently, there is no effective

treatment available for NSF/NFD.

Based on recent research, NSF/NFD occurs only in patients with

advanced or in end stage kidney disease and is strongly related to

the use of gadolinium dyes for MRI scans. At this time, there are no

known cases of NSF/NFD in patients with normal kidney function.

Currently, little is known about NSF/NFD. However, due to recent

studies, the association is so strong, that both the FDA and the

company that makes gadodiamide have sent out warnings about the use

of gadolinium-containing contrast in patients with advanced kidney

disease.

If you, a family member, or friend has suffered NSF/NFD, there is a

chance you qualify for monetary compensation from the manufacturer.

Don't hesitate to seek justice for the damages you or your loved

ones have suffered!