Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Description
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis [NSF] and Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy [NFD] are exactly the same disease. Investigation of the disease confirms that scar tissue forms throughout the body. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a degenerative disease, and may lead to death.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Patients
Today, over 400 cases have been reported worldwide. Medical experts, who are familiar with the nephrogenic systemic fibroses, anticipate the number of reports to rise.
NSF affects all sexes and ages. It has been diagnosed in patients from various ethnicities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
All patients diagnosed with NSF have some form of renal dysfunction or kidney failure. Patients who have been exposed to gadolinium through MRI or MRA scans are exceptionally prone to NSF.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Fatal Consequences
NSF, by itself, is not a cause of death, but the systemic fibrosis directly contributes to the likelihood of death.
The heart – pericardium, myocardium –, liver, lungs, and kidneys develop fibrosis due to NSF. The scarring of these vital organs can lead to debilitating and fatal consequences.
The fibrosis or scar tissue, for example, may constrict the esophagus, resulting in shortness of breath or death by asphyxiation. Or the systemic disease may cause poor heart function and induce heart attacks.
A recent study also indicates that patients diagnosed with NSF and with skin fibrosis are 48% more likely to die than those without skin problems.
The FDA has received reports of NSF cases triggered by the contrasting agent Magnevist, Multihance, Omniscan, Optimark, Prohance, or a combination of these.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Treatment
There is no known, consistently successful treatment or cure for this systemic disease.
All of these treatments – at the time of this writing – are considered by the medical community to have varying degrees of success.
Most of the treatment results are often based on anecdotal data and report only subjective improvement.
- Oral Steroids
- Extracorporeal Photopheresis
- Plasmapheresis
- Ultraviolet Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Renal Transplantation
Patients who undergo renal transplantation and / or spontaneously recover their normal renal functions are noted to significantly improve.
Though reports confirm that gadolinium and renal insufficiency are both direct contributors to the disease, the specific physiological mechanism that causes nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is unclear.
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and Medical Scans
Dosages for gadolinium-based contrast agents for MRA scans are usually two to three times higher than for MRI scans. However, medical practitioners may opt to double the dosage for MRIs. The higher the dosage, the clearer the MRI or MRA scan, thus the more gadolinium accumulates.
If anyone you know has been injected with gadolinium during an MRI or MRA scan, consult a doctor right away. The legal experts at Babbitt-Johnson are available for a free legal consultation concerning gadolinium poisoning and its potentially fatal consequences.
It is imperative to consult a physician as soon as possible. Babbitt-Johnson attorneys, specializing in aprotinin and Trasylol cases, offer free legal consultations and advice on the best legal recourses.
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