MRI Dye Lawyer, MRI Contrast Dye Attorney

When the Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) was invented, it created a new realm of diagnosis. Whereas X-Rays cannot diagnose problems that do not involve bones, the MRI can create extremely accurate images of any part of the body, including soft tissue. It is so advanced, it can show the density of the brain.

The MRI works by altering the magnetic field of the tissue or area being examined. It does this because, before the scan starts, a doctor gives the patient a dose of a gadolinium-based solute, such as Gadodiamide, which has paramagnetic properties. Basically, this means that because of gadolinium's electron structure, when it is injected into the body, it temporarily relaxes the bonds and magnetic field of water molecules in the body. Because a huge amount of the body contains a lot of water, this allows the MRI to be exceptionally clear.

Altering and relaxing the magnetic field of an injured area helps because normal or healthy tissues and abnormal or injured tissues react differently to the change in magnetic field. These differences are picked up by a scanner and transcribed by a computer. These images then allow a doctor to make accurate diagnoses.

Unfortunately, gadolinium, like many other drugs, has serious side effects. Generally, the element has a very low toxicity; however, when it is given to people that already have kidney problems, problems occur. Injecting a gadolinium-based agent into people that already have some kidney problems can lead to kidney. This is particularly true in people that already have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If a person has ESRD and is given a gadolinium-based agent, they can develop Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is a disease linked to kidney failure. Fibrosis means that the body is developing an excess of tissue in an organ. In NSF, patients develop hardened patches of skin with fibrotic nodules and plaques. Another way this is seen is in a reduced range of motion. While generally the disease is seen in the skin tissues, it can affect any organ in the body. Common other targets of the disease include joints, eyes, and internal organs.

NSF has been related to gadolinium only if a person has kidney disease. Conditions associated with NSF include kidney failure, coagulation abnormalities (blood clotting in strange ways), and deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a vein that is not at the surface; it commonly affects the legs). If a kidney transplant has recently taken place, the body may reject the new kidney after being exposed to gadolinium and developing NSF.

The disease is pretty clearly tied to exposure to gadolinium if a person already has kidney problems. Four of the five FDA-approved MRI agents have been linked to NSF.

If you or someone you know has been exposed to gadolinium in an MRI agent in the past year and a half or so, your health could be at serious risk. Contact the MRI dye lawyers of Pulaski Middlemen at 800-BAD-DRUG or 800-223-3784 to discuss your legal options.