Kidney Failure from MRI or MRA Exams
No one knows for sure exactly how many people with existing kidney problems have suffered renal failure and/or developed a severe skin disease after MRI/MRA medical scans that use contrasting dyes to enhance the imaging. But the number may be in thousands.
The makers of gadolinium-based dyes have been sued in class action and individual lawsuits across the United States. Contact the Kansas City law firm of Yonke & Pottenger, L.L.C. for a free case evaluation. We are taking cases in the K.C. metro area, statewide Missouri and Kansas, and beyond.
Side Effects of Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI and MRA
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), a special dye is sometimes used to enhance doctors' view of blood vessels and tissues within the body. Gadolinium is a paramagnetic metal infused in these dyes to increase the contrast. Gadolinium dyes were approved by the FDA for MRIs in 1999 and millions of scans have been conducted.
But in May 2007, the FDA urged manufacturers to include a black box warning on the labels after numerous reports of life-threatening side effects. Patients with advanced or late-stage renal deficiencies (kidney problems) are at significant risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), also called nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). Both internal organs and the skin are damaged, usually permanently.
Gadolinium exposure is the only known cause of this disease, which can be fatal or disabling. You should see a doctor and contact Yonke & Pottenger if you have experienced any of these NSF/NFD symptoms since a dye-enhanced MRI or MRA:
- Severe skin irritation (itching, burning or swelling)
- Hardening, strange texture or red patches on the skin
- Yellow spots on the iris (eye)
- Stiff joints or muscle weakness
- Soreness in bones, particularly hips and ribs
Gadolinium Litigation
The largest number of lawsuits have been filed against General Electric for its Omniscan contrasting agent. But other manufacturers — Bayer, Bracco and Tyco/Mallinckrodt — have also been sued. Prior to the FDA's warning, most physicians and radiologists were unaware of the danger to their patients with existing kidney problems because the dye makers did not disclose the known adverse reactions.
The successful trial lawyers of Yonke & Pottenger will fight for full damages for this inexcusable negligence that has shattered so many lives. Victims of NSF/NFD suffer chronic pain, debilitating internal injury and disfiguring skin disease. Some will likely die before the lawsuit is resolved, and many more are on waiting lists for kidney transplants because of the gadolinium poisoning.
If you have serious symptoms or a family member has full-blown NSF/NFD from an MRI or MRA scan, contact us online or call today at 866-764-3065.
