| Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a horrible disease that | | | | only be used to detect lesions in the liver. |
| has no viable treatment option. It is a side effect of | | | | The risk of developing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is |
| gadolinium traces lingering in the body, usually from | | | | based on the body's ability to purge the traces of |
| contrast agents commonly used during MRI scans. | | | | gadolinium from the body after the MRI scan. In a |
| MRI and MRA scans have become commonplace in | | | | healthy body with fully functional kidneys, the body can |
| the medical profession because of their extraordinary | | | | expel the gadolinium from the body with a little time. |
| ability to produce very detailed images of the body's | | | | However, if the kidneys are unable to function |
| internal soft tissue. It allows doctors to make accurate | | | | correctly, the gadolinium will remain in the body, possibly |
| diagnoses without having to cut open the patient to | | | | triggering the onset of NSF. |
| find any problems. On occasion, an MRI contrast agent | | | | Because of this, people with severe kidney disease or |
| may be used to dramatically improve the quality of the | | | | failure must be very cautious of gadolinium based |
| images when scanning. | | | | contrast agents if undergoing an MRI exam. Do not |
| The only contrast agents approved by the FDA are | | | | proceed unless it is clear that any possible kidney |
| gadolinium based. In most cases, they are all safe to | | | | complications will not put you at risk of developing NSF. |
| use, and will not pose any real threat to the patient. | | | | If it is your first time undergoing an MRI scan, it is highly |
| However, they can have very fatal side effects. While | | | | suggested that you be screened for kidney problems |
| there are other types without gadolinium, those are | | | | before being administered a contrast agent to avoid |
| only approved by the FDA for very specific uses. For | | | | the side effects of gadolinium. |
| example, Feridex I.V. is an iron based agent that can | | | | |