Medical Description

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) was first identified in 1997, but has been reported only in patients with acute or severe renal insufficiency or patients with renal dysfunction.

NSF is a rare condition in which connective tissue in the skin become thickened, coarse and hard, which can lead to muscle contractions and joint immobility. NSF can also affect the lungs, liver, muscles and heart.

Symptoms

• burning or itching skin
• reddened or darkened patches on the skin
• skin swelling, hardening and/or tightening
• yellow raised spots on the whites of eyes
• joint stiffness
• limited range of motion in the arms, hands, legs or feet
• pain deep in the hip bone or ribs
• muscle weakness

General Information

To confirm the diagnosis of NSF, a skin biopsy must be performed.

The cause of NSF is unknown, and there is currently no consistently successful treatment.

Cases of NSF have been reported following administration of all five Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved contrast agents:

• Magnevist
• Omniscan
• OptiMARK
• Multihance
• Prohance

In June 2006, the FDA notified the public about the risk of NSF following exposure to contrast agents after it received reports of 25 patience with NSF from the Danish Health Authority.

Sources: “Gadolinium-Based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging,” Food and Drug Administration InfoSheet, May 23, 2007; “Gadolinium-containing MRI contrast agents and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF),” International Society for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Information Sheet, February 7, 2007.

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