According to recent studies, a dye commonly used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) tests can be extremely harmful to the body and could potentially cause injury. The dye contains gadolinium, a silvery-white metal with magnetic properties. Unfortunately, gadolinium has been linked to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, or NSF.
NSF is a disease occurring in kidney patients and primarily affecting the skin, joints, and eyes. Symptoms include hardening of the skin and stiffening of the joints. The disease can be painful and debilitating. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has asked contrast dye manufactures to include a boxed warning on gadolinium-based dye labeling. GE, one of the manufacturers of the dye, has already included a warning on its website.
MRIs can be incredibly helpful diagnostic tools. However, the technology does have its shortcomings. We recently warned that some MRI machines are more effective than others at detecting abnormalities in a patient’s body. If you are planning to undergo an MRI, be sure to ask your doctor about the type of machine that will be used, as well as about any contrast dye that might be administered. If you or a loved one has recently undergone an MRI and you suspect you may have been harmed as a result, contact us to see if we can help.
recently named in the 2009 edition of Best Lawyer's In America, David Mittleman has been representing seriously injured people since 1985. A partner with Church Wyble PC—a division of Grewal Law PLLC—Mr. Mittleman and his partners focus on medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accidents, slip and falls, nursing home injury, pharmacy/pharmacist negligence and disability claims.
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