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Personal Injury Lawyer Milwaukee, WI
In the past, gadolinium MRI lawsuits involving nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) were settled for millions of dollars because NSF is a horrific disease. Now, a new set of gadolinium MRI lawsuits allege that the gadolinium is toxic and harming patients. If you feel your health has been affected by the contrast agent you were given for an MRI scan, you would be well-advised to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
What is Gadolinium?
Gadolinium is a soft, silvery, rare earth metal that has unique fluorescent and magnetic properties. It is widely used in MRIs as a contrast agent. Contrast agents are ingested orally by patients before MRI scans to provide contrast and enhance images. These contrast agents can increase the effectiveness of diagnosing internal medical conditions by increasing the detail and visibility of internal tissues and structures.
Is Gadolinium Toxic to Patients?
The safety of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) has become a significant concern in the field of radiology lately. Concerns about the adverse health risks of GBCAs first began in 2014 when a study found gadolinium deposits in the brains of patients who were given GBCAs. This study attracted attention due to the long history of clinical complaints from people who were convinced that GBCAs caused harm to their health.
It is well-established that GBCAs are unsafe for people with renal insufficiency because they are unable to filter the gadolinium from their system. However, before the 2014 study, there was no evidence which suggested that GBCAs might not be safe for patients with healthy renal function. In November 2017, nationwide attention was paid to the safety of GBCAs when actor Chuck Norris and Gina, his wife, filed a lawsuit which alleged that Gina was poisoned by the GBCAs she was given for several MRIs.
There is no definitive evidence showing that gadolinium is toxic. However, numerous studies are currently underway to evaluate the potential health impacts of gadolinium. In the European Union, health officials felt that there was enough evidence to take immediate action, and issued a safety recall of a specific type of GBCAs.
What is Gadolinium Deposition Disease?
The health condition suffered by people who have chronic health issues caused by GBCAs and the deposits of gadolinium left in their brains is called gadolinium deposition disease (GDD). GDD symptoms can begin within hours after ingestion of GBCAs. Symptoms are often acute and quite sudden in the hours and days after the MRI scan using the contrast agent. Initial, acute symptoms can eventually progress into long-term, chronic conditions that may continue for years. Symptoms of GDD may include the following:
- Confusion; brain fog
- Hearing and vision issues
- Chronic headaches
- Pain or burning in joints or bones (especially in neck & head)
- Hair loss
- Itchy skin
- Tightness in hands or feet
- Nausea; digestive problems
- Breathing problems
- Discolored or thickened skin on arms and legs
The initial symptoms may be followed by cognitive impairment and kidney damage.
Do You Have a Gadolinium Lawsuit?
Lawsuits against the manufacturers of GBCAs allege that the plaintiffs were essentially poisoned and now suffer from GDD. If you believe that you may be suffering from gadolinium deposition disease caused by taking GBCAs for MRIs, contact a personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee, WI from Hickey & Turim, SC for more information or to schedule a consultation.
