Treatment Options for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy

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Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is an extremely rare condition that occurs in some individuals enduring an advanced stage of kidney disease. Also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), the first cases of the condition were documented in 1997. Since then, less that 300 cases have been confirmed worldwide. Researchers are unsure what causes the condition, but recent studies have indicated that a connection exists between NSF/NFD and solutions commonly used in MRI procedures called Gadolinium based contrast agents. To date, the US Food and Drug Administration has received over 90 reports of NSF/NFD cases linked to the injection of a Gadolinium based contrast agent.

NSF/NFD is a skin disorder characterized by the skin located on the extremities becoming tight and stiff to the point of extreme discomfort. The surface of the skin begins to resemble orange peel and the soft tissue beneath the affected areas begins to harden. Patients afflicted with NSF/NFD report that they feel an itching, burning sensation in the skin and sometimes experience sharp, shooting pains within the tissue underneath the affected areas. The condition typically develops over a period of months, but in some cases, the condition can go from non-existent to severe within a matter of days.

There is no one recommended treatment option for NSF/NFD that is consistently effective, although there are quite a few treatment options that are commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of the condition. One commonly used treatment method is the prescription of oral steroids, namely prednisone. This oral steroid is used in the treatment of a large number of different conditions and has been shown to be effective in a number of inflammatory diseases. The medication has also been shown to improve renal function in patients with kidney disease so NSF/NFD is being battled on both fronts.

Another treatment option used to relieve the symptoms of NSF/NFD is Dovonex. Dovonex is a topical medication that can improve the skin sensations experienced by individuals suffering from NSF/NFD. This medication is derived from naturally occurring vitamin D and is not considered a steroid like many other topical medications. Dovonex can significantly decrease the irritation, redness, and scaling signature to NSF/NFD but it cannot cure the condition. The medication can cause irritation if placed on the face, so patients are warned to avoid accidental transfer to the facial area.

Some individuals with NSF/NFD have found that regular physical therapy has been effective at slowing the stiffening of the joints. Activities such as swimming can help keep the joints mobile while avoiding the jerky movements that can cause joint damage. Deep massage has also been shown to be effective in relieving some of the pain associated with NSF/NFD. Many physicians recommend that regardless of which other treatments are pursued, physical therapy and deep massage should be included in the treatment regiment.

There are quite a few other treatments available for the relief of symptoms of NSF/NFD. Each works with varying degrees of success, but none are effective all the time with every patient. Researchers continue to try to find an effective treatment and a cure for NSF/NFD, but any breakthroughs in those areas are still years away.

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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