A study, conducted by the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, found that kidney patients who are at risk for developing NSF when receiving gadolinium contrast dyes from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) procedures may have less of a chance of developing the condition after receiving hemodialysis.

When hemodialysis was administered to patients immediately following gadolinium exposure, their NSF symptoms were delayed for more than two days. According to the study, patients who received gadolinium contrast dyes during MRIs were "10 times more likely to develop NSF than patient who had not been exposed to such agents."

Developing NSF

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is considered a rare multisystemic fibrosing disorder that affects the skin in infected patients, but can also affect organs in patients with renal insufficiencies, according to a study published in the American Journal of Roentgenoloy.

NSF is commonly associated with patients suffering from chronic kidney disease and acute renal failure who have or are receiving gadolinium-based contrast agents/dyes during an MRI or MRA, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

The first case of NSF was documented in 1997, and is considered a rare and rather newly developed condition. Up until 2006, NSF was relatively unknown, but during 2006 more individuals began to complain of NSF symptoms after receiving contrast dyes, according to the International Center for Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy Research (ICNFDR). Unfortunately, NSF is a very serious and extremely debilitating condition. Some of the side effects include:

* skin thickening

* painful/itchy skin

* joint stiffening

* muscle weakness

* reddened or darkened patches of skin

* burning or severe pain in skin

* deep bone pain

* calcifications of soft tissue

* orange or woody texture on surface of skin

* skin lesions

* yellow papules or plaques on or near eyes

* fluctuating hypertension

Available NSF Treatments

While there are currently no known consistently successful NSF treatment, there are several treatments that can be considered to help ease the severely disabling syptoms of NSF. Some of these treatments include:

* Oral steroids such as prednisone, however, these medications have been associated with developing gastrointestinal ulceration and early onset osteoporosis.

* Individual may receive topical Dovonex for the thickening of the skin.

* Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), which is a treatment under investigation that softens the plaques after long-term therapy.

* Plasmapheresis, patients receiving liver/kidney transplants.

* Receiving Cytoxan medications.

* Treatments of Thalidomide.

* Ultraviolet therapy.

* Physical therapy of patients, which also includes deep massage.

* Pentoxifylline (PXF), an oral medication that may improve red blood cell circulation and flexibility.

* High doses of medication are often given in an intravenous therapy that is mildly successful among patients.

* Renal transplantation.

Receiving Help When Diagnosed With NSF?

Because NSF is such a debilitating condition and considered so rare, it is important for an individual to receive legal assistance immediately.

Seeking legal assistance from an experienced medical attorney can provide insight into developing an NSF lawsuit, which may result in monetary compensation.

The treatments with NSF have not resulted in consistent and positive outcomes for NSF patients and undergoing continual treatments may be extremely costly, not only monetarily, but physically on an individual as well. To better understand NSF, consider contacting an NSF attorney.