The United States Food and Drug Administration declared the element gadolinium safe for use as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast substance in 1988. In 2007, the agency issued a black box warning for gadolinium, the most serious action aside from a recall. Gadolinium injected into people as a dye has numerous possible side effects, two of which can result in rare but very severe or fatal reactions.
Allergic Reactions
An allergic reaction occurs in fewer than 1 in 1000 people and fatal reactions are extremely rare.
Kidney Issues
Another rare but severe health issue can occur in people with impaired kidney function, because the kidneys are unable to effectively eliminate the dye from the patient's body. This disorder is called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis/nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy.
Considerations
People with no known kidney problems before an MRI have also reported developing NSF/NFD.
Symptoms
People with NSF/NFD can experience skin hardening to the extent of joint immobility. The disorder can affect thigh muscles, lower abdomen, diaphragm, and lungs. This in turn can cause severe breathing difficulties, sometimes fatal. As of 2009, no effective treatment has been discovered.
Litigation
Numerous patients who have developed NSF/NFD after an MRI have brought successful lawsuits against the producers of gadolinium for MRIs, and other contrast agents linked to the disorder.
More Common Side Effects
More common and milder side effects include facial swelling, skin rashes or hives, headache, low blood pressure, lightheadedness and nausea.
Tags: fatal reactions
