Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) is a recently recognised fibrosing disorder originally identified as a scleromyxoedema-like cutaneous disease in patients with renal disease. The first case of NFD was identified in March 1997. The condition in 15 cases was published in the medical literature as a scleromyxoedema-like cutaneous disease common in renal dialysis patients. In these cases with renal patients diagnosed with scleromyxoedema-like cutaneous disease, the disease was later renamed to “Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy” (NFD). In cases where scleromyxoedema-like cutaneous disease occurred in systemic organs (lungs, liver, muscles and the heart) in addition to the skin, the patients with scleromyxoedema-like cutaneous disease were later described as suffering from Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is an acquired condition that develops in patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and dialysis-dependent End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and is characterized by patients with dermal fibrosis.
Since the renaming of the scleromyxoedema-like cutaneous disease in patients with renal disease to Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), medical researchers have determined that these diseases did not occur prior to 1997, which corresponds to the introduction of Gadolinium (Gd). For years, radiologists took for granted the safety of Gadolinium contrast agents in terms of their adverse effects to MRI and MRA patients. However, the recent medical studies involving Gadolinium contrast dyes and their side effects can not be ignored anymore. As of December 21, 2006 the FDA has received reports to its Adverse Events Reporting System of 90 patients who developed Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD), after they received a Gadolinium-based contrast agent for an MRI or MRA; all had moderate to end-stage renal disease and others had kidney failure or renal failure. Patients suffered from severe joint pain, muscle pain, skin rashes, skin irritation, problem with limb mobility, thickening of the skin and other Gadolinium side effects — many have been described in the scientific literature. These patients developed Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD), two days to 18 months after undergoing their contrast enhanced MRI or MRA. Many of these Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD), patients received a dose of Gadolinium-based contrast agent exceeding that recommended in product labeling. Some patients developed NSF or NFD after receiving only one dose. According to most medical studies on NSF, the dose relationship in the development of NSF with higher doses of Gadolinium and possibly the numbers of MRIs that a patient has undertaken increases the risk of NSF. Most cases occur in patients who have received > 0.1mmol/kg dose.
Patients with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) may develop large areas or patches of hardened skin or thickened skin with fibrotic nodules and plaques. These areas of thick skin and flexion contractures in the body’s extremities can severely limit a patient’s range of motion. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) resembles scleromyxedema at the histologic (microscopic) level; it shows a proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and dendritic cells, thickened collagen bundles, increased elastic fibers, and deposits of mucin. Symptoms of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) can vary from patient to patient as well as the Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) prognosis.
Gadolinium Toxicity Lawsuit - Free Case Evaluation
If you or a loved one had a MRI or a MRA, and a Gadolinium-based contrast dye, medium or agent was used to enhance the MRI image, then your health may be at risk. If you developed Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD), skin problems, skin tightening, severe joint problems, kidney failure, or renal failure, then you may be eligible to collect money damages for your injuries. Please contact us by calling 1-800-883-9858 or follow the link below for a free and confidential case evaluation.
