The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently asked manufacturers of all Gadolinium-based contrast agents to include a new boxed warning on the product label. These contrast agents are used to enhance the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and can place patients at risk for developing a potentially fatal disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD). People who develop NSF or NFD may experience a thickening of the skin and other organs, which can limit their ability to move, extend joints and can lead to significant pain and even death. Other problems may include dark patches on the skin that appear rough and hard with raised plaques or papules, which are elevations of the skin. Joint and bone pain, as well as swelling of the feet and hands have also been reported. The FDA first warned about NSF and NFD associated with Gadolinium in June of 2006 and again in December of 2006. As of April of 2007, the FDA had received a considerable number of additional cases involving these conditions.

There are five Gadolinium-based contrast agents which are FDA-approved. One is the Omniscan Contrast Dye, manufactured by GE Healthcare. It is designed for intravenous use in MRI for the brain and the spine. In a recent study, five of the nine patients diagnosed with NSF received an MRI involving Omniscan Contrast Dye. Other studies have shown similar results. The other Gadolinium-based agents include OptiMARK, Magnevist, MultiHance and Prohance. Manufacturers of these products include Bayer Schering Pharma, GE Healthcare, Tyco Healthcare and Bracco Diagnostic, Inc. We are currently evaluating these Gadolinium-based contrast agents involving patients who have developed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. Ben Locklar and Russ Abney are the primary lawyers handling Gadolinium cases for the Section.

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