Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)

NSF also known as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF) is one of the serious side effects of Gadolinium in people who have noticeably advanced renal failure.

Gadolinium is an FDA approved contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to enhance the quality of MRI by causing the abnormal tissues to become very bright and enhanced on the MRI. The first case of NSF/NSD was reported on 1997.

Initially it was thought that NSF or NFD resulted from exposure to a new type of toxin that people with poor kidney function could not eliminate from their blood stream. However, researchers were able to directly link the use of Gadolinium MRI contrast dye in kidney patients to this NSF/NSD. Subsequently the United State Food and Drug Agency (USFDA) warned medical professionals that gadolinium based agents had been tied to multiple cases of NSF/NSD. In 2007, the USFDA asked the manufacturers of the five gadolinium based contrast agents used in MRIs to include a boxed warning on product labels highlighting the risk they posed to patients with kidney problems. Sometimes the symptoms of NSF/NSD can appear within a few days. It can also take up to 18 months after being exposed to Gadolinium.

The first symptom of NSF/NSD is high blood pressure which is then followed by the other symptoms which include:

• Tightening and swelling of the skin
• Thickening of the skin around the joints, restricting movement
• Extremely hard or rough skin has the texture of an orange peel
• Red or dark patches of skin
• Burning, itching, and/or sharp pains in affected areas
• Symmetrical skin lesions
• Muscle weakness
• Deep bone pain in the hips and ribs
• Calcification of soft tissues
• Yellow plaques near the eyes

In serious cases, NSF/NSD can cause severe stiffness in joints. It can also prove fatal. The progression of NSF/NSD can be slow. It could take years for all the symptoms to appear. There is a variant of NSF/NSD which progresses rapidly resulting in death of the patient from the complications brought on by the disease. Unfortunately while the symptoms of NSF/NSD can be successfully improved, there are no consistently successful treatments for NSF/NSD.

If you need to file a dangerous drugs lawsuit, Anapol Schwartz is a West VA law firm on your side. Anapol Schwartz has a Wheeling attorney (Barry Hill) who can compassionately handle your dangerous drugs lawsuit.

Pharmaceutical products are by nature thought to be safe and effective for their intended use. It is assumed that all necessary testing has been done by the pharmaceutical company before the product is released for use. If the pharmaceutical product has defects or is contaminated or does not contain warnings about possible adverse effect, it amounts to negligence on the part of the manufacturer. When you go in for an MRI, the last thing you expect is to have a side effect which could cause health problems for you or prove fatal. The medical professional is under an obligation to inform you about the risks of the procedure before performing the procedure on you.

If you are or one of your loved ones is suffering from NSF/NSD, you may be entitled to compensation.