Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) is primarily a technique used in radiology to visualize the internal structure and function of the body.
An MRI scan provides much greater contrast between various soft tissues in the body than others such as computed tomography (CT).
For this reason, medical professionals find an MRI scan particularly useful in neurological (brain), musculoskeletal cardiovascular and oncological (cancer) imaging.
The MRI does not facilitate ionizing radiation; instead, it uses a powerful magnetic field to align the nuclear magnetization of hydrogen atoms in water in the body.
Radiofrequency fields, according to my sources, are used to systematically alter the alignment of this magnetization which cause 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 construct an image of the body.
During some MRI scans (and all MRA scans) a gadolinium-based contrast agent is injected into the patient's vein so blood vessels can be distinguished from other nearby tissues.
Lawyers and research staff studying the effects of the gadolinium-based contrast agent on the human body have informed me that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued two Public Health Advisories about a new skin disorder known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermotherapy (NSF/NFD) which may develop in the event a patient ingested the agent for an MRI scan.
The disease is debilitating and may cause death.
Some of the symptoms include red or dark patches and/or a woody feeling on the skin, contracting and locking joints, skin lesions, and yellow papules ( or plaques) on or near the eyes.
At the current time, NSF/NFD is believed to develop over a period of days to several weeks.
Patients with NSF/NFD describe swelling and tightening of the skin, usually limited to the extremities, but sometimes involving the trunk.
In many cases, the skin thickening inhibits the flexion and extension of joints, resulting in contractures.
Severely affected patients may be unable to walk, or fully extend the joints of their arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Complaints of muscle weakness are common.
Other organs might be affected, including the lungs, liver, muscles, and heart.
About 5 percent of patients have very rapid and progressive disease development and some patients may die.
What is NSF/NFD?
Neprhrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) / Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) is an emerging systemic disorder characterized by widespread tissue fibrosis.
NFS/NFD was not known to the medical community before March 1997 and some medical authors suggest that the sudden occurrence of the disease in the last 8 years makes it likely that a new agent or technique of examination causes it.
Currently, there is no effective treatment available for NSF/NFD.
Based on recent research, NSF/NFD occurs only in patients with advanced or in end stage kidney disease and is strongly related to the use of gadolinium dyes for MRI scans.
At this time, there are no known cases of NSF/NFD in patients with normal kidney function.
Currently, little is known about NSF/NFD.
However, due to recent studies, the association is so strong that both the FDA and the company that makes gadodiamide have sent out warnings about the use of gadolinum-containing contrast in patients with advanced kidney disease.
In view of the foregoing, a class-action lawsuit may be filed in the near future on behalf of the patients who have been stricken by the disorder, with the ultimate aim of recovering compensation for damages.
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