Numerous patients have allegedly been suffering from the effects of gadolinium retention after undergoing an MRI procedure. The gadolinium retention occurs when the heavy metal lingers in the body, potentially producing toxic effects for patients.

Bayer HealthCare is currently facing a potential multidistrict litigation (MDL), which would consist of claims from patients alleging injuries from gadolinium retention.

One of the most recent claims was filed by a woman from North Carolina, who allegedly suffered from the effects of gadolinium retention after receiving the IV contrast fluid for an MRI.

Like many other patients, plaintiff Emily D. had been injected with a gadolinium based contrast fluid, meant to help the diagnostic images show up on the MRI scans. This heavy material is supposed to give medical professionals the ability to better diagnose conditions.

What is Gadolinium?

Gadolinium is a highly toxic heavy metal and rare earth element that does not naturally occur in the human body, but is sometimes utilized for diagnostic image testing like MRIs. The reason why gadolinium is often used for MRIs is for its magnetic properties, which reacts when the patient is undergoing the MRI scans.

This reaction enables the organs, blood vessels, and tissues in the body to be more well defined and easily seen on the diagnostic images, but numerous patients have been allegedly suffering the effects of gadolinium retention.

Research has noted that in some patients, gadolinium toxicity could cause fibrosis in organs, bones, and skin, and can even deposit metal particles in the brain. This was allegedly the case for Emily, who says she suffered serious health complications due to gadolinium retention.

Overview of Gadolinium MRI Lawsuit

According to her gadolinium MRI lawsuit, Emily suffered damages in multiple organs including her brain, heart, liver, kidney, bones, and skin.

Emily reportedly discovered that she could have been suffering from the effects of gadolinium retention around the same time the FDA released a warning in December 2017, stating that some patients could retain the heavy metal particles months to years after the MRI is conducted.

The FDA further stated that gadolinium retention could lead to the development of the rare condition nephrogenic system fibrosis (NSF), which was listed on the black box warning label for years for individuals with kidney problems. However, patients like Emily believe that gadolinium toxicity can occur in patients with normal kidney function.

Bayer had allegedly marketed the gadolinium based contrast as reasonably safe, stating it would exit the body with normal kidney function. However, Emily reportedly suffers from gadolinium retention more than a year after being administered the contrast fluid.

Prior to filing this gadolinium MRI lawsuit, Emily had undergone a urine test that still showed high levels of gadolinium in her body.

Emily states she was never warned about the risk of gadolinium retention because she had normal kidney function at the time, and because Bayer reportedly was only disclosing this risk to patients with some preexisting kidney condition.

According to this gadolinium MRI lawsuit, Emily and her physicians had relied on the marketing information and product information provided by the manufacturers and had no way of knowing about potential gadolinium retention or the complications it could cause.

This Gadolinium Retention Lawsuit is Case No.3:18-cv-491, in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.