Gadolinium Retention Linked To NSF

Gadolinium Retention Linked To NSF

Introduction

Gadolinium, used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) procedures, is facing allegations over its adverse effects on exposure. Recently, a lawsuit filed by a California man, Jeffrey Steiner, claims MultiHance and OptiMark contrast dyes used during his MRIs caused damages to his brain and other organs due to gadolinium retention.

Steiner's Gadolinium deposition disease lawsuit states, “defendants have repeatedly and consistently failed to advise consumers and their healthcare providers of the causal relationship between linear gadolinium-based contrast agents and gadolinium retention resulting in fibrosis in the organs, skin, and bones, retained gadolinium in the brain, and related injuries. Defendants knew or should have known of the risks posed by linear gadolinium-based contrast agents to individuals with normal or near-normal kidney function.”

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has declared 8 MRI gadolinium agents for use in the United States, all of which include a black box warning about Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), which only occurs in people with a pre-existing kidney disorder. However, Steiner's case is one of the many cases which allege they had normal kidney functioning and experienced complications due to gadolinium retention from the MRI dyes. In December 2017, the FDA introduced a new class warning for all gadolinium-based MRI contrast dyes and stated that the gadolinium deposits could remain in a patient's body and brain after weeks, months or even years after a scan.

A growing number of patients are filing lawsuits over Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) and similar side-effects, who received MultiHance, Magnevist, Optimark and other gadolinium contrast agents during an MRI and MRA examinations. Gadolinium multidistrict litigation concerning NSF (MDL 1909; In Re: Gadolinium Contrast Dyes Products Liability Litigation) was formed in 2008 which was overlooked by Judge Dan Aaron Polster in the Northern District of Ohio. The manufacturers previously agreed on paying millions for gadolinium settlements for individuals diagnosed with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. NSF lawsuits have largely been avoided by not using gadolinium contrast agents among individuals with kidney problems, highlighting the importance of warnings provided by the manufacturers.