The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has documented several cases of  Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)  associated with the use of Gadolinium contrast agents used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This latest NSF research  is just the latest to confirm the link between Gadolinium in MRI and NSF.

The CDC  NSF study began after May 2006 after nephrologists at an unidentified St. Louis hospital reported a cluster of NFS among patients treated in their dialysis units. The CDC conducted an investigation to determine the number of affected patients and identify risk factors for NFS. Of the 19 patients eventually included in the study, only five had no identified gadolinium exposure within 1 year preceding NFS diagnosis. However, of these, four had gadolinium exposure from 16 to 68 months preceding diagnosis. Thirteen patients had multiple gadolinium-containing contrast exposures during the preceding year. (more…)

NSF (Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis), sometimes called NFD (Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy) is a rare disease that so far has affected only people with pre-existing kidney problems.  In 2006, researchers discovered a direct association between NSF and the use of Gadolinium MRI contrast dyes. Since that initial discovery, several other studies have reinforced the link between NSF and Gadolinium MRI contrast dyes.  In 2006, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) first warned doctors of this Gadolinium side effect.  Then, in 2007 the FDA ordered the manufactures of Gadolinium contrast dyes to add a black box warning – the strictest type of FDA warning — to their product labels advising of the risk of NSF to people with kidney problems.

NSF was first seen in patients in 1997, and it wasn’t mentioned in medical literature until 2000. NSF leads to excessive formation of connective tissue in the skin and internal organs. It is characterized by high blood pressure, burning, itching, swelling and hardening of the skin. Other symptoms include red or dark patches on the skin; pain deep in the hip bones or ribs and muscle weakness. NSF can progress to the point of causing severe stiffness in joints, and it can lead to death.

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