mri side effects
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a fatal disease that is now commonly linked to gadolinium contrast agents injected into the body, which are used to enhance the clarity of MRI scans. It is the syndrome where excessive fibrous tissue begins to grow on the eyes, skin, joints and internal organs. People with chronic severe kidney insufficiency are at most risk of developing NSF through gadolinium based agents because their kidneys cannot properly excrete the gadolinium from the body over time.
The first appearance of NSF was reported in 1997. The first publication describing NSF was in 2000. And it was not until 2006 that the link between gadolinium based contrast agents and NSF was reported in a press release by the Danish Medicines Agency. Relatively little time has passed since the emergence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in the medical field, and the understanding of this syndrome is still in its infancy. As of now, there is still no known treatment plan for NSF. However, research has shown that improving the function of the kidney, either by transplant or by healing processes, can stop NSF or even gradually reverse the effects.
Those stricken with NSF will encounter several painful symptoms. Most noticeably, the patient’s skin will become hardened, swollen and tightened, which becomes painful to stretch. Darkened patches of skin may also appear, as well as a burning and itching sensation of the skin. There will be significant stiffness of the joints, leading to pain and difficult to bend and extend the arms, legs, hands and feet. NSF can also affect internal soft tissue, resulting in deep pains in the ribs and a decrease in muscle strength. Additionally, the whites of the eyes can grow yellow raised spots.
It is very important that those with serious kidney problems consult their doctor on the use of contrast agents. An MRI scan can still provide good data without them, though under some circumstances, they might be deemed essential. If this is the case, be sure to discuss the likeliness of developing NSF and if it is worth the risk. MRI contrast dyes may still be used, but extra precautions must be taken and all guidelines for using gadolinium based agents should be followed exactly.
If you exhibit symptoms similar to those listed above and have recently undergone an MRI scan using a gadolinium contrast agent, call your doctor immediately. If diagnosed with NSF, a secondary course of action is to consult with a lawyer to seek compensation for possible malpractice leading to side effects of gadolinium.
News Report About Gadolinium Side Effects
There was a recent news article about a woman who recently settled a lawsuit with GE Healthcare after developing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis because of the side effects of gadolinium. GE Healthcare manufactures the FDA approved gadolinium based contrast agent known as Omniscan.
54 year old Margaret Roxbough of Glasgow, Scotland, went for an MRI exam in September 2006. It was a standard procedure, and she was administered with the Omniscan contrast agent to improve the results of the scan. However, neither she nor the doctor knew that she had kidney disease. Without functional kidneys, the body was not able to expel the traces of gadolinium from her body afterwards, and allowing NSF to develop. Although there was “horrendous pain” the next day, the doctor wrote it off as mild side effects of the MRI scan and said they should go away soon enough.
Margaret Roxbough still experiences excruciating pain. The skin on her legs is completely raw and it is too painful to cover it with any type of clothing.
In 2004, two years prior to her scan, a woman in Denmark had died from the symptoms of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. In 2006, it had been noted by Henrik Thomas that all the patients diagnosed with NSF at his hospital had one thing in common – they were injected with Omniscan, the contrast dye produced by GE Healthcare.
Subsequently, Ms. Roxbough had sued GE Healthcare, and the lawsuit was recently settled. The FDA now requires a warning label detailing the risks of NSF on Omniscan agents, as well as all FDA regulated gadolinium based contrast agents.
This could have been avoided had it been known she was suffering from renal disease prior to her MRI scan. It is absolutely crucial that if the doctor suggests the use of a contrast dye for an MRI scan that YOU GET TESTED FOR KIDNEY DISEASE BEFORE THE PROCEDURE to avoid all side effects of gadolinium contrast dye. If you do have a documented history of kidney complications, be sure to discuss the severity of the problems and how risky a gadolinium based contrast agent would be to your health.
Why Are Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents Used?
MRI scans (and MRA scans) are known to produce very detailed images of the inner workings of the body. They are used extensively in the medical field to detect and diagnose many health conditions that could not be found otherwise. However, there are some cases where it is advantageous to use a gadolinium based contrast agent to enhance the quality of the scanned images or to better detect foreign growths inside the body.
Gadolinium is a rare earth lanthanide metal. In its original form, it is a silvery white, malleable and ductile metal. As a free ion, it is a highly toxic element to humans. It must go through a process known as chelation before it can be utilized in practical applications. Chelation is the process of taking a free ion and adding bonds with other organic compounds to prevent it from freely and uncontrollably reacting with other elements and compounds that could have detrimental effects.
The reason gadolinium has found its way into MRI scan applications is because of its strong paramagnetic properties. A paramagnetic metal does not exhibit any magnetic effects in its original state. When placed in an externally applied magnetic field, it will align its molecules parallel to the it, and in turn, create its own magnetic field. They are easily detectable in a strong external magnetic field (such as that produced by an MRI machine), allowing the possibility for much more detailed scans.
Gadolinium based contrast dyes have been manufactured to be safe for the patient and they follow strict FDA regulations to avoid any health complications. However, there are still gadolinium side effects that people must be completely aware of to avoid the risk of harm to themselves.
