Gadolinium deposition —the name coined for a condition in which contrast dyes used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remain in the body—may not be dependent upon the amount of dye used in one or more diagnostic tests. This was the conclusion arrived at by a study published in May 2018.

The study indicated that gadolinium deposition—visible as deposits in the brain itself—could be affected by a host of other factors. These might include whether or not there is a present brain tumor and whether the patient has been treated with radiation.

“Gadolinium deposition disease” refers to symptoms  reported by patients without compromised kidney function. This stands opposed to another gadolinium-related concern called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).

NSF is relatively rare but, when it occurs, it can herald serious symptoms such as inflammation and tightening of the skin, pain in the skeletal system, overall muscle weakness and compromised functioning of several organs.

Eight years ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted the public that they were requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers of gadolinium-based products to add a warning about the increased chance of developing NSF for patients with pre-existing kidney issues.

The risks for this condition were also higher if the patient had other risk factors for kidney malfunction—genetically or secondary to another diagnosis.

An evaluation of the risks for gadolinium deposition disease was  published by the FDA in 2015. Apparently, patients that received multiple injections of the contrast dyes as part of a series of MRIs were noted to have brain deposits quite a while after the final dose. The health issues that might emanate from these deposits were not known at that time.

The manufacturers of the metal-based dyes–which make irregularities in tissue show up better on scans for physician evaluation—have long maintained that gadolinium-based products are safe and simply eliminated from the body after a short period of time through the kidney’s urine output.

Late in 2017, the FDA released a public announcement of their intent to require manufacturers of all contrast dyes to have a more inclusive warning to physicians. This warning amounts to advisement to steer away from their use if a particular patient requires multiple MRIs over the course of their lives for certain diseases or ailments.

It indicates that there is a possibility that deposits can remain in the body—more specifically, the brain—for several months or years after the last administration.

Those who allegedly suffer from gadolinium deposition disease report pain in the bones, brain fog, and a sensation of burning in the tissues. These symptoms can come on within a few hours of an injection or take a few weeks to appear.

If you or a loved one have experienced symptoms of gadolinium deposition disease after one or more MRI tests, you may have a legal claim against the contrast dye manufacturer who has maintained its safety. Fill out our form to request a free initial consultation.