If you’ve been given the contrast dye gadolinium while undergoing an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or MRA (magnetic resonance angiography), you should know that the dye has been linked to serious – and sometimes fatal – diseases known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) and Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD).

Advice from an expert

Benjamin Locklar, an Alabama attorney whose practice represents clients injured by drugs such as gadolinium, provided consumers with the following information and advice about what to do if they have been given gadolinium:

The first thing they need to do is talk to their physician. I think patients need to consult with their physicians to find out whether it is something they should be concerned about.

There is a small body of research that shows that you might actually have renal failure secondary to this. We’re actually looking at a few of those [cases], but I believe that we’re going to find that those people already had renal insufficiency. Gadolinium is eliminated by adequately functioning kidneys very rapidly. In a person renal insufficiency, it can stay in the body for 30 hours. When it stays in the body longer than anticipated, that’s when the damage is caused.

Patients with renal insufficiency that have had and MRI or MRA and either have symptoms they feel may be NSF or NSD or are having unusual symptoms should consult their physicians and alert them to their concerns.

Patients that have had an MRI or MRA and are experiencing unusual symptoms should inquire from the hospital or imaging center to see if they were exposed to gadolinium. If the doctor determines that they have been exposed and may have a related injury, then they need to contact an attorney to discuss their legal options for seeking compensation.

Are there alternatives to these drugs?

That’s what many consumers are asking. Locklar explained, “There are other metals that are used in MRIs and MRAs from an older method, but apparently don’t have as high a contrast as gadolinium – which is why they are favored. Now, are they reasonable? I think that definitely, for people with renal insufficiency, there’s no question about it.”

“Even the black box warning says “unless absolutely necessary.” So, a physician has to make a decision if there’s no other reasonable alternative available. You can do MRIs and MRAs without contrast agents. However, those are not as high resolution and I think that will be an important question that we’ll have to answer as we go forward.”

If you or a loved one was given gadolinium and would like to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney whose practice focuses in this area of law, please click here. Consultations are free, without obligation and strictly confidential.