EICHEN LEVINSON & CRUTCHLOW, LLP
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Edison, New Jersey 08817
Tel. (732) 777-0100
Fax (732) 248-8273
Gadolinium-based contrast agents are used to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Recent studies have identified persons with severe kidney insufficiency who receive gadolinium-based agents are at risk for developing a debilitating, and a potentially fatal disease known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Patients just before or just after liver transplantation, or those with chronic liver disease, are also at risk for developing NSF if they are experiencing kidney insufficiency of any severity.
Patients with NSF develop thickening of the skin and connective tissues that inhibits their ability to move and may result in broken bones. Other organs are at risk of thickening as well. The cause of NSF is not known and there is no consistently effective treatment of this condition.
Gadolinium-based contrast agents are commonly used to improve the visibility of internal structures when patients undergo an MRI. Five gadolinium-based contrast agents have been approved for use in the United States: Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine), Ominiscan (gadodiamide); OptiMARK (gadoversetamide); MultiHance;(gadobenate dimeglumine);and Prohance (gadoteridol).
Reports have identified the development of NSF following single and multiple administrations of the gadolinium-based contrast agents. Patients should be screened for kidney problems prior to receiving one of these imaging agents. The recommended dose should not be exceeded and enough time should elapse to ensure that a dose has been eliminated from the body before the agent is used again.
Some common side effects include:
Burning and itching of the skin
Hardening or tightening of the skin
Red or dark patches on the skin
Stiff Joints
Limited range of motion in the arms, hands, legs or feet
Deep pain in the hip bone or ribs
Generalized muscle weakness
Yellow raised spots on the whites of the eyes
If you or a loved one has undergone an MRI / MRA with contrast and have experienced any side effects, you may have legal rights. For a free consultation call us at 732-777-0100 or e-mail us at beechen@eichenlevinson.com.
For more information consult your healthcare professional or click on the following link to the FDA website, www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/gcca/default.htm.
View the FDA Alert for Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agests for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (marketed as Magnevist, MultiHance, Omniscan, OptiMARK, ProHance)
>> Click here to view
as pdf.
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