The Symptoms and Signs Of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy

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Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), is a rare condition characterized by the tightening and stiffening of the skin on the extremities. The condition is exclusive to patients in moderate to late stage kidney disease and affects men and women of every age and nationality. There are no confirmed cases of the condition noted prior to 1997, with only 300 confirmed cases occurring worldwide. The majority of the cases of NSF/NFD are found in Europe, Asia, and North America.

The origin of the condition is a mystery, with no credible links to ingested medications, kidney dialysis, or any microorganism. In recent years, a connection between cases of NSF/NFD and the injection of a Gadolinium based contrast agent prior to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure has been found. In December of 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had received 90 reports of NSF/NFD occurring in the months after the patient had received an injection of a Gadolinium based contrast agent in order to clarify the images produced by an MRI. This prompted the FDA to open an investigation which found that out of the 75 cases that they meticulously reviewed, all of the patients had received a Gadolinium based contrast agent injection, all had undergone an MRI, and all had moderate to late stage kidney disease.

The onset of NSF/NFD is characterized by dark or reddened areas appearing on the skin. Individuals experiencing the condition report an itching or burning feeling underneath the skin that can range in intensity from mild to severe. The skin of the body starts to thicken and swell, most commonly on the extremities but also affecting the trunk of the body in some cases. The surface of the skin begins to look like the peel of an orange and skin lesions that resemble blisters may appear on the areas between the wrist and shoulders or the areas between the ankles and thighs. Patients have also reported significant joint pain and bone pain occurring deep within the ribs and hips.

As NSF/NFD progresses, the individual will start to experience muscle weakness and severe, sharp pains beneath the affected areas of the skin. Medical testing will show that the soft tissue beneath the affected areas has begun calcification, which is a build up of calcium deposits in the soft tissue causing the tissue to harden. The affected areas of the skin will continue to tighten and thicken, causing severe discomfort and limiting the amount of movement that can be performed by the affected limb. Individuals experiencing a severe case of NSF/NFD may lose the ability to stretch or flex their arms, legs, hands, or feet and, in some cases, are unable to walk or perform normal activities. The movement restriction can become so great that attempting movement may cause bone breakage.

NSF/NFD can develop over a period of days or months, with about 5% of cases classified as rapidly progressive. There is no consistently effective treatment method for the condition, although symptoms may be alleviated by a number of medications. The progression of the condition can be arrested by an improvement in renal function, and in some cases, renal function improvement can slowly reverse the effects of NSF/NFD. Research is ongoing as medical professionals attempt to understand and cure this devastating condition.

Main Gadolinium Content Sections

Gadolinium

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)

Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD)

Related Contents - Gadolinium, Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy

What Is Gadolinium?

Gadolinium and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Gadolinium and MRI Safety Guidelines

Gadolinium Side Effects and Complications

Issues with MRI Contrast Agents

Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents Used With Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Gadolinium and NSF/NFD

What Is Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy?

Does Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents Cause Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis?

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Associated With Agents Containing Gadolinium

Devastating Condition Called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis Subject Of Alert By The FDA

The Theory Behind How Gadolinium Based Contrast Agents Cause Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis and MRI Contrast Agents

>> Symptoms and Signs of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy

Treatment Options For Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy

Dialysis May Prevent Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

Risk For Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis in Patients With Advanced Kidney Disease

Gadolinium Based MRI Contrast Agent Section

Magnevist MRI NSF

Gadolinium Based Contrast Agent - Magnevist

Magnevist and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

MultiHance MRI NSF

Gadolinium Based Contrast Agent – MultiHance

Gadolinium Based Contrast Agent - Omniscan

Gadolinium Based Contrast Agent - OptiMARK

Gadolinium Based Contrast Agent - ProHance

Omniscan Lawsuit

Omniscan MRI NSF

OptiMARK MRI NSF

Prohance MRI NSF

Related Websites & Recent Gadolinium Studies

5/23/07 - FDA Press Release

2/07/07 - Study Links Gadolinium treatment to NSF

1/25/07 - MRI Contrast Agent Linked to Rare Disease

1/15/07 - Dialysis to Prevent NSF After Gadolinium Treatment

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