| Gadolinium MRI and risk factors for the
| |
| | in the United States: Magnevist,
|
| debilitating disease nephrogenic systemic
| |
| | MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, and
|
| fibrosis (NSF) are currently being
| |
| | ProHance.
|
| investigated by the Food and Drug
| |
| | Evidence has been increasing regarding
|
| Administration (FDA). An MRI with
| |
| | the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis
|
| gadolinium is a type of MRI that uses a
| |
| | (NSF) in patients with severe kidney
|
| contrast agent with special magnetic
| |
| | problems who receive gadolinium during an
|
| properties to help increase the
| |
| | MRI procedure. Nephrogenic systemic
|
| visibility of organs and tissues. Since
| |
| | fibrosis appears to occur in patients
|
| its approval in 1988, MRI with gadolinium
| |
| | with kidney failure. Patients with kidney
|
| has been administered to millions of
| |
| | disease or on kidney dialysis are at
|
| patients.
| |
| | increased risk because gadolinium is
|
| Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a
| |
| | primarily eliminated by the body through
|
| diagnostic study that has been used since
| |
| | the kidneys.
|
| the 1980's. An MRI uses strong magnets
| |
| | Recent studies have shown an association
|
| and radio waves to create computer
| |
| | between NSF and patients with kidney
|
| generated three-dimensional images of the
| |
| | disease that have a gadolinium MRI.
|
| body. When an MRI study is performed,
| |
| | Unfortunately, there has been little
|
| radio waves are pulsed through the
| |
| | research or clinical trials that have
|
| patient's body causing movement in
| |
| | studied patients with kidney problems and
|
| hydrogen atoms in the body's cells.
| |
| | gadolinium contrast agents. NSF causes
|
| Different parts of the body react to the
| |
| | fibrosis of the skin and connective
|
| radio waves with predictable patterns.
| |
| | tissues throughout the body. The
|
| These patterns are displayed as
| |
| | patient's skin thickens leading to a loss
|
| three-dimensional pictures on a computer
| |
| | of mobility and in some cases causing
|
| screen.
| |
| | death. There is no known treatment or
|
| A gadolinium MRI is a special type of
| |
| | cure for NSF. NSF has only been reported
|
| study where the patient is injected with
| |
| | in patients with severe renal dysfunction
|
| gadolinium. For MRI studies using
| |
| | (kidney disease).
|
| gadolinium the procedure usually involves
| |
| | The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
|
| two MRIs. The first MRI is administered
| |
| | has requested that the different
|
| to get a baseline study. The second study
| |
| | manufacturers of gadolinium MRI contrast
|
| involves injecting the patient with
| |
| | agent (GBCA) revise their product labels
|
| gadolinium and then taking a second MRI.
| |
| | to include a new warning that describes
|
| Gadolinium is a naturally occurring
| |
| | the increased risk of developing
|
| metallic element that has special
| |
| | nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). The
|
| magnetic properties. Gadolinium gives the
| |
| | FDA is continuing to review gadolinium
|
| treating physician and radiologist a more
| |
| | for MRI as more studies and reviews
|
| detailed picture of the patient's
| |
| | become available regarding the link
|
| internal organs, tissues, bones and
| |
| | between gadolinium and NSF.
|
| vessels. MRI with gadolinium is used
| |
| | Steve Fields
|
| because it provides additional diagnostic
| |
| | To learn more about Gadolinium MRI please
|
| information compared to an MRI without
| |
| | visit our website.
|
| contrast. The Gadolinium for MRI agent is
| |
| | Our team of gadolinium lawyers represents
|
| also referred to as gadolinium-based
| |
| | clients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa,
|
| contrast agents (GBCA). Five GBCAs are
| |
| | Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota and
|
| approved for magnetic resonance imaging
| |
| | throughout the United States.
|
