Gadolinium is a contrast agent used during a medical procedure called magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. Gadolinium solutions are administered to patients prior to an MRI scan to improve the visibility of internal body structures.

In 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced findings that associated Gadolinium use in MRI scans with a potentially fatal disease known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, or NSF.  Patients with NSF develop large patches of hardened or thickened skin that can severely limit the patient’s range of motion. Victims may not be able to move their hands, arms or legs and may lose the ability to walk.

If you or a loved one has been harmed as a result of a Gadolinium contrast agent, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A defective drug attorney from Fox, Goldblatt & Singer, P.C. can help you understand your legal rights and options. Our injury attorneys have been representing personal injury clients in Missouri and Illinois for almost six decades. From our offices in St. Louis, Missouri, we can provide you with effective, compassionate representation to help ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Call Fox, Goldblatt & Singer, P.C. today at (877) 858-4699 or use our online contact form to arrange a free case evaluation. We serve personal injury victims in St. Louis, Florissant, Chesterfield, University City, Clayton, O'Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters, St. Louis County and St. Charles County, MO, and Alton, Belleville, Madison County and St. Clair County, IL.

Five gadolinium-based contrast agents have been approved for MRI use in the United States: Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine), Ominiscan (gadodiamide); OptiMARK (gadoversetamide); MultiHance;(gadobenate dimeglumine);and Prohance (gadoteridol). When federal drug regulators announced gadolinium’s NSF risks, the contrast agent most commonly reported in association with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis was Omniscan, followed by Magnevist and OptiMARK.

The risks led the FDA to require a boxed warning on the packaging of gadolinium contrast agents, warning patients of the dangerous risks associated with the medical product. The FDA reported that the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis appeared to be greatest in patients with severe kidney insufficiency. The FDA reported some patients with kidney problems developed the condition after a single MRI scan performed with a gadolinium contrast agent.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, is a primarily dermatological condition. Patients suffering from the condition typically experience initial symptoms in the form of swelling and tightening of the skin. The skin may thicken so much that victims may be unable to move their hands, arms or legs and may lose their ability to walk. The potentially fatal nature of the condition stems from the potential for other organs to thicken as well.

Sadly, there is no consistently successful treatment for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. A patient suffering from NSF, or the family of patients suffering from NSF, likely faces ongoing and medical expenses that may be associated with lost wages.

Our laws and justice system allow patients in this situation to seek financial compensation for their suffering and the expenses of their condition. At Fox, Goldblatt & Singer, P.C., our Gadolinium lawyers can help you understand your rights and options. We will treat you as an individual and provide you with compassionate and effective representation.

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Established in 1949, Fox, Goldblatt & Singer, PC has been serving personal injury victims in the Midwest for almost 60 years. Our Gadolinium attorneys consistently demonstrate our dedication to helping clients obtain appropriate compensation for their injuries. We have the skills and experience to build a case that will help you ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.  If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a gadolinium MRI, call Fox, Goldblatt & Singer, P.C. at (877) 858-4699 or use our online contact form to arrange a free case evaluation.

Sources:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “FDA Requests Boxed Warning for Contrast Agents Used to Improve MRI Images,” May 23, 2007

New York Times, “Health Guide: Spine MRI – Tests, Test Results & Diagnosis,” Permanent Feature Accessed Oct. 4, 2009

The International Center for Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy Research (ICNFDR) Accessed Oct. 4, 2009