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Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF
 Our office is currently investigating cases involving gadolinium-containing contrast agents used in patients with impaired renal function, who have or may have a serious scleroderma-like disease of the skin known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), also called Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD). Zoll, Kranz and Borgess has a strong track record of successful representation in similar cases, including our efforts on a national level in the Sulzer Hip/Knee Implant litigation and our more recent involvement with Vioxx and Bextra litigation.
Gadolinium is a poisonous heavy metal naturally found in the earth’s surface. Gadolinium is used as a contrast agent to enhance imaging during contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). Specifically, the gadolinium-based contrast agent allows blood vessels to be distinguished from other nearby tissue. In light of its toxicity, gadolinium is coated (or “chelated”) to keep it from coming into contact with human tissue. However, in patients with impaired renal function, the material is retained in the body for a prolonged period of time, during which time the chelate breaks down (“transmetalation”) and eventually is free to invade the body.
On December 21, 2006, the FDA reported a link between gadolinium-based contrast solutions and U.S. patients with impaired renal function who developed NSF/NFD. The FDA issued a black box warning on September 28, 2007.
The signs of NSF/NFD include: burning, itching, swelling, hardening and tightening of the skin; red or dark patches on the skin; yellow spots on the whites of the eyes; stiffness in joints with trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs, or feet; pain deep in the hip bones or ribs; and muscle weakness. NSF/NFD can lead to serious physical disability or death. A definitive diagnosis of NSF/NFD is made by a full-thickness skin biopsy.
There are five FDA-approved gadolinium-based contrast agents, Magnevist (developed by Bayer Health Care), MultiHance and ProHance (both developed by Bracco), Omniscan (developed by GE Health Care) and OptiMARK (developed by Mallinckrodt/Tyco Health Care).
If you or someone close to you may have been given a gadolinium-based contrast agent, and has subsequently developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), or any other serious injury, you are urged to contact the law offices of Zoll, Kranz and Borgess, LLC at
419-841-9623 to speak to an attorney. The call is free, and there is no obligation. You may also email us at
david@toledolaw.com. Act now, as delays can harm your case.
RELATED NEWS ARTICLES AND/OR USEFUL LINKS:
Federal Drug Administration (FDA):
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/gcca/default.htm
Wolters Kluwer Health:
http://factsandcomparisons.com/News/ArticlePage.aspx?id=7677
DotMed News:
http://www.dotmed.com/news/story/3974/
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals:
http://www.pharma.bayer.com/en/home/article/1060008165777/1193772947775/00.html
GE Healthcare:
http://www.amershamhealth-us.com/omniscan/
Med Page Today:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Nephrology/GeneralNephrology/tb/4760
National Registry at Yale:
http://www.icnfdr.org/
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