Suits mounting against makers of MRI-enhancing dye

A growing list of suits are being filed against makers of gadolinium contrast dyes used to enhance MRI results, which are thought to be causing some cases of a progressive, untreatable and possibly fatal disease known as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Nephorgenic Fibrosing Dermopathy. NSF/NFD, which occurs in patients with kidney disease, creates thickening and hardening of the skin, joint problems, muscle weakness and eye discoloration.

About 68 cases have been filed against makers of gadolinium contrast dye makers, according to attorneys filing suit against one such maker, Novation. The most recent case, filed for Philadelphia resident and Zbignew Marcinczyk, contends that he developed NSF after receiving two injections of the dye, in this case the Omniscan brand created by Novation. Marcinczyk had pre-existing kidney disease when he was given the dye. He has since become permanently disabled, disfigured and severely impaired, his attorneys say. This case contends that the defendants, which also include parent company GE, failed to let patients and providers know that Omniscan is defective, failed to test it adequately and failed to let the public know that Omniscan could cause NSF.

Since the wave of problem reports on gadolinium contrast dye use surfaced, the FDA has asked manufacturers to add a black-box warning on all such labels. A too bit late for those who've already got NSF, isn't it?

To learn more about this issue:
- read the FDA advisories on the subject
- read the release issued by Marcinczyk's attorneys