Gadolinium Attorney - Information on Gadolinium Side Effects from a Lawyer
The FDA recently issued a warning stating that people with advanced kidney disease, including those on dialysis, may be extremely susceptible to a condition known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) if they are exposed to gadolinium. Gadolinium is used as a contrast agent, allowing doctors to recognize tissue abnormalities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) scans. After exposure to the chemical, patients with severe kidney disease have a high risk of developing NSF, a potentially fatal condition for which there is no known cure. The medical and legal implications of gadolinium and its side effects are still being discovered. An attorney from our office can help you understand your rights if you have been exposed to the chemical. Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center is one of the few firms that have dealt with gadolinium cases, and a lawyer from our firm can help you attain compensation if you have suffered.
Gadolinium Exposure
The vast majority of patients who are exposed to gadolinium receive the chemical prior to undergoing an MRI or an MRA, which are special scans for taking detailed images of the body's internal structures. A gadolinium compound is injected into the bloodstream, where it circulates and accumulates in abnormal tissue. Gadolinium compounds show up brightly on MRI and MRA images, allowing doctors to pinpoint problem areas. Five brands of gadolinium compounds were approved by the FDA between 1988 and 2004: Omniscan™, MultiHance®, Magnevist®, ProHance®, and OptiMARK®. Though they are all different compounds, each contains gadolinium, and the recent FDA warning applies to the side effects of each one.
Symptoms of NSF
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), formerly called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), is a condition characterized by a thickening and tightening of the skin. It usually affects the extremities, but can also occur on the chest and back. Flex areas, such as the elbows and knees, are often particularly affected, and the skin can take on a firm, woody texture. Some patients also report yellow spots on the whites of their eyes and deep bone pain in the ribs and hips. Additionally, scarring often occurs on internal organs. After exposure to gadolinium, NSF may appear within days, or months may pass before symptoms appear. NSF symptoms may progress quickly or very slowly, taking from days to months to spread extensively. Though research has shown that NSF by itself is not fatal, it can contribute significantly to a patient’s death by restricting breathing and mobility.
What to Do
If you exhibit any of the symptoms of NSF, seek immediate medical attention. Keeping records and receipts of your medical care is very important — if you have been diagnosed with NSF after exposure to gadolinium, you may be entitled to compensation. A lawyer from our office can help you pursue full compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other hardships. Because information about gadolinium is only recently appearing, having an experienced attorney on your side is essential if you or a loved one has developed NSF.
Contact Kerry Steigerwalt's Pacific Law Center
If you have been exposed to gadolinium and have experienced harmful side effects, a lawyer from Pacific Law Center may be able to help. Contact our office to find out more about NSF and gadolinium, or to speak to an attorney about your rights.
