Gadolinium Toxicity MRI/MRA Lawsuits

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to generate 3-dimensional scans that can be viewed on a screen. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) uses similar technology to produce images of specific blood vessels. Numerous studies and authorities have warned of the risks of gadolinium retention from Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents (GBCAs) in contrast-enhanced MRIs and MRAs. The absorption of GBCAs may lead to serious health problems, including a life-threatening and incurable disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).

Gadolinium Toxicity Lawyers are Ready to Help

Contact our Gadolinium Toxicity Lawyers to review whether you or a family member may be entitled to financial compensation. Levy Konigsberg LLP is currently accepting Gadolinium Toxicity cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has suffered one or more of these complications, you may be entitled to a cash award and compensation for medical expenses. For a free confidential consultation with Gadolinium Toxicity Lawyers at our law firm, please call (800) 315-3806 or submit an email inquiry.

What is Gadolinium Toxicity?

Gadolinium is a metallic chemical element that is known to be toxic to humans. Gadolinium’s paramagnetic properties make it ideal for scan enhancement in MRIs and MRAs. Due to its toxicity, the chemical is transformed into an agent, known as GBCA, that can be injected into patients during contrast-enhanced MRIs or MRAs. In individuals with normal kidney function, the intravenously administered GBCA is typically excreted rapidly through the kidneys without retaining toxicity from gadolinium. In patients with damaged kidneys, GBCA can linger in the body for extended periods of time, which can lead to absorption of the toxic gadolinium ion.

What is Happening with Gadolinium Toxicity?

Gadolinium toxicity as a result of contrast-enhanced MRIs or MRAs has been documented in the medical community. For patients with impaired renal functioning, gadolinium remains in the body and can lead to the development of NSF. NSF causes thickening of the skin, which becomes tethered to tissues and internal organs and leads to shortening and hardening of muscles. Following the discovery of the link between NSF and GBCA-based MRIs in renal failure patients, regulatory authorities in the US and Europe warned against the use of GBCAs in patients with acute or chronic kidney dysfunction.

In 2015, the FDA announced that it is investigating whether gadolinium accumulates in the brains of healthy patients following repeated MRIs with GBCAs. The FDA found evidence of GBCA deposits in the brains of several patients who underwent four or more MRI scans after a significant amount of time had passed since the final scan. In 2017, the FDA required a new warning and other safety measures for all GBCA-based MRIs after concluding that adverse health effects may occur. Further research by other organizations indicates that gadolinium traces can be detected in the bones, skin and brain tissue of patients with normal kidney functioning who received GBCA-based MRIs.

Gadolinium Disposition Disease (GDS) is gadolinium toxicity in those with normal/near normal kidney function who develop persistent symptoms within two months of GBCA administration. Side effects are similar to NSF, but also include soft tissue thickening, brain fog, headaches, and central nervous system problems.

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm455386.htm

https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm589213.htm

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2009/mt/b905145g

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879157/

Gadolinium Toxicity Side Effects and Complications

The side effects of gadolinium toxicity include:

• Hardened skin;
• Lesions;
• Fibrous nodes;
• Fibrosis of internal organs;
• Joint contractures leading to limited range of motion;
• Burning and pain in arms, legs, and torso;
• Brain fog, headaches; and
• Death

Research has also found that gadolinium retention can occur in patients with normal kidney functioning and lead to health problems. Further clinical research is being performed to determine how this toxicity affects healthy patients.

Gadolinium Toxicity Lawyers are Ready to Help

Contact our Gadolinium Toxicity Lawyers to review whether you or a family member may be entitled to financial compensation. Levy Konigsberg LLP is currently accepting Gadolinium Toxicity cases in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one has suffered one or more of these complications, you may be entitled to a cash award and compensation for medical expenses. For a free confidential consultation with Gadolinium Toxicity Lawyers at our law firm, please call (800) 315-3806 or submit an email inquiry.