Drug Recalls - Gadolinium

What is gadolinium?

Gadolinium (Gd) is a silvery white metallic element that is strongly attracted to magnets. It is used intravenously in contrast dyes to enhance images in patients undergoing MRI. Gadolinium is also used to make CD disks, computer memory, and television tubes.

What is an MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique primarily used in Radiology to visualize the structure and function of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane. MR has much greater soft tissue contrast than computed tomography (CT) making it especially useful in neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular imaging. Unlike CT it uses no ionizing radiation, but uses a powerful magnetic field to align the nuclear magnetization of (usually) hydrogen atoms in water in the body. Radiofrequency fields are used to systematically alter the alignment of this magnetization, causing the hydrogen nuclei to produce a rotating magnetic field detectable by the scanner. This signal can be manipulated by additional magnetic fields to build up enough information to reconstruct an image of the body.

What are the gadolinium lawsuits about?

The companies that produce gadolinium dyes did not completely test dyes and did not warn the public about its life-threatening risks, as a resuklt many patients are suffering from nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

 

What is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis?

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy is a rare and serious syndrome that involves fibrosis of skin, joints, eyes, and internal organs. Its cause is not fully understood, but it seems to be associated with exposure to gadolinium (which is frequently used as a contrast substance for MRIs) in patients with severe kidney failure. It does not have a genetic basis.

 

Have you had a severe reaction or side effects from Gadolinium?

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