MRI Contrast Agents Risks Often Still Not Considered by Doctors or Disclosed to Kidney Patients
July 7th, 2008 amy
Gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents can cause serious damage to kidney patients, yet many doctors still aren’t considering the risks when injecting patients with these dyes for an MRI, and many patients don’t know they’re at risk. While non-damaging for most folks, MRI contrast dyes, when given to a patient with kidney problems, can cause Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).
Despite MRI contrast agents receiving black box warnings in May of 2007, medical professionals administering MRIs are often quick to inject the dye but neglectful to warn patients about the risks. Often times, patients at risk for kidney problems such as diabetics may not know they are at risk for NSF until it’s too late. Because screening procedures are so expensive, and often not covered by health insurance, elderly folks in particular may not know they have a pre-existing kidney problem before they go in for an MRI.
Symptoms of NSF include high blood pressure, swelling and hardening of the skin, burning and itching, as well as dark patches on the skin and/or pain deep in the hip bones or ribs and muscle weakness. NSF often progresses to the point where patients suffer from chronic pain and stiffness in their joints. NSF can eventually lead to death.
