For many persons, an MRI or MRA exam can be a life-saver. MRI -- or magnetic resonance imaging --and MRA -- or magnetic resonance angiography -- allow physicians to view a patient's internal organs without invasive surgery. That's often done by injecting a "contrast agent" or dye into the bloodstream prior to such an exam, which then reveals more fully the organs and tissues needing scrutiny.

Unfortunately, one such contrast agent, gadolinium, may prove more harmful than the conditions it identifies. Patients who have severe kidney ailments and then have an MRI or MRA exam using gadolinium are prone to suffer serious if not fatal consequences. Among them, such patients may experience such life-threatening conditions as NSF (Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis) or NFD (Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy). And even those who survive may be afflicted by eye spots, pain in their hips or ribs, and skin disorders.

If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to gadolinium, engage a gadolinium lawyer. First, alert the Goldwater Law Firm of your needs. A gadolinium attorney or MRI lawyer then can press your case in a gadolinium personal injury  lawsuit to gain financial compensation for your losses.

FDA erred with gadolinium

In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared gadolinium safe. But later it was found that gadolinium triggers NFD or NSF in patients who have severe, acute or chronic kidney ailments.

Persons who suffer after taking an MRI or MRA exam with gadolinium may experience discoloring, swelling, hardening, tightening or burning of the skin, as well as development of skin patches and weakness in the muscles or joints. They also may have pain in their hip bones or ribs, along with joint stiffness, eye spots and difficulty in bending their joints.

The trade names for some gadolinium-based contrast agents include but are not limited to Pro-Hance, Magnevist, Omniscan, MultiHance and OptiMARK. The FDA has asked manufacturers of those contrast agents to feature label warnings about the risk of acquiring NFD or NSF after using gadolinium in an MRI or MRA exam.

What is gadolinium?

Just what is gadolinium, besides being a threat to the health of many Americans? It is, in fact, a silvery rare-earth metal. As a manufacturing substance, gadolinium has a broad range of uses, including being featured in production of compact discs, color TV tubes and computers' memory elements. Gadolinium even is used in microwaves and in nuclear marine propulsion systems.

Those applications are a long way from placing gadolinium inside the human body, which perhaps helps account for the dangers and risks which eventually became apparent after it was used as an intravenous contrast agent. Besides, gadolinium compounds are known to have low to moderate toxicity.

Persons who have endured pain and suffering via the use of gadolinium in an MRI or MRA exam should not have to bear this burden alone. A gadolinium lawyer or MRI attorney provided by the Goldwater Law Firm can take the proper legal action to fight for such persons' financial compensation, covering not only their medical costs but lost present or future wages.

Founded by Attorney Robert Goldwater III in 1996, the Goldwater Law Firm has helped thousands of persons across America with their personal injury legal needs, including cases involving Yamaha Rhino ATV rollover accidents, overdosed or contaminated heparin injury and shoulder pain pump injury. Submit the free case review form on this website and a legal representative of Attorney Bob Goldwater will contact you promptly to offer help with your gadolinium injury.