Gadolinium-based contrast agents are commonly used to enhance MRI imaging, but the substance may have complications that many patients don’t know about. Indeed, the contrast dye can build up in the brain, causing a number of gadolinium side effects.

What is Gadolinium?

Gadolinium is a rare earth element that has been in use since the 1980s. Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) are injected into the body prior to an MRI scan to help create contrast in the imaging, sharpening the visual and making it easier for doctors to diagnose problems.

Technically, gadolinium on its own is actually toxic to humans. In GBCAs, the element bonds with other substances to make it non-toxic, and it is intended to be flushed out of the system within 24 to 36 hours after injection.

However, more and more patients—along with a growing pile of evidence—are connecting the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents during MRIs with some serious gadolinium side effects.

A 2015 study found that gadolinium remained in the brains of those who had undergone more than one MRI using contrast dyes.

“That has been subsequently confirmed on numerous follow-up imaging studies, and also on animal and human autopsy studies, which have confirmed that small amounts of gadolinium are retained in certain structures within the brain, as well as in other parts of the body, including the skin, the bone and most recently in the liver,” said Dr. Nicola Schieda, a radiologist at Ottawa Hospital. Dr. Shieda has written clinical practice guidelines for the use of gadolinium for the Canadian Association of Radiologists.

Patients who have undergone multiple MRIs with the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents have reported finding red blotches all over their bodies, accompanied by intense pain and a burning sensation. Patients have also reported other gadolinium complications, including experiencing balance issues, brain fog, coordination problems, and headaches.

Indeed, in Canada alone, there have been nearly than 1,500 reports of these kinds of gadolinium side effects since 1991.

Thousands of people have shared their symptoms online, and many say that the medical community isn’t doing enough to acknowledge and help with these gadolinium retention issues. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has acknowledge that GBCAs can be retained in the body, the agency has also stated that benefits of GBCAs continue to outweigh the risks.

A slew of law firms in the U.S. are reportedly preparing for potential upcoming class action lawsuits over gadolinium side effects.

Filing a Gadolinium Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from these or other gadolinium side effects, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by these complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced, trusted attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.