Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis 2009 PSA

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Gadolinium

Fibrosis

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is a debilitating illness caused by exposure to gadolinium among kidney disease patients. Sufferers of NSF were exposed to gadolinium after a MRI scan.

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is an ailment of the skin and joints characterized by a hardening of the skin of the extremities. Symptoms include a gradual hardening, red or darkening color of the skin followed by restricted movement of the affected area. Eventually, the affected area can no longer move leading to permanent disability by the sufferer. NSF was first reported in just the past decade from a small pool of cases. Each of the patients with NSF symptoms also suffered from kidney disease and were undergoing various treatments and tests related to their kidney condition.

As part of their treatment, some kidney patients are given an Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. As part of the scan, the patient is given a orally ingested contrast dye to highlight certain internal organs and tissues. In their case, they were given a contrast agent containing gadolinium, a rare earth material used for MRI scans as well as for other industrial applications.

According to completed FDA research, gadolinium has been determined to be the cause behind Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis among these certain patients. Gadolinium contrast dyes are manufactured by five different pharmaceutical companies in the U.S.

Now that gadolinium has been determined to be the cause behind NSF, the FDA has issued a warning for gadolinium based contrast dyes for kidney disease patients. Learn more about gadolinium, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and related news at our blog.