The contrast dye, gadolinium, has been linked to the painful and often fatal diseases known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) and Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD). We asked Benjamin Locklar, an Alabama attorney whose practice represents clients injured by drugs such as gadolinium, to explain what these terms mean – and why they’re important. Here’s what he told us during a recent interview:

What is gadolinium?

Gadolinium is a metal that is found in contrast-based agents that are used in MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) and MRAs (magnetic resonance angiography). It’s used to light up the screen, if you will, to give doctors a better view of what they’re looking at.

What is NSF / NFD?

NSF is Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and NFD is Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. These are really new diseases and were first identified in 1997. Doctors began to notice that some patients were having skin disorders that thickened or hardened the skin. Sometimes, the hands or feet would draw up, the joints would get stiff and people couldn’t move their hands and arms.

It was originally thought to be another type of dermatological disorder, but they found that some of the biomarkers were not consistent with what they had seen in the past. In the late 1990s, a connection was made between dialysis patients and NSF / NFD. That started the ball rolling and doctors wondered why dialysis patients were having this condition that was typically fatal.

Is additional research currently being done on NSF / NFD?

Yes, new information is frequently being published in the medical literature. I think that it’s pretty fair to say that, at this point in time, the problem has been identified. In other words, we now know that gadolinium is causing the NSF and NFD.

Which manufacturers and contrast agents are involved?

There are four manufacturers and five contrast agents involved. The first manufacturer is Bayer Health Corporation. Their product is called Magnevist. The second manufacturer is Bracco Diagnostics Products. They have two products – Prohance and Multihance. The third manufacturer is GE Healthcare and their product is called Omniscan. The fourth manufacturer is Tyco Healthcare with a product called Optimark.

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.