Login Form






Lost Password?
No account yet? Register

Main Menu

Home
Forums
AB
BC
MB
NB
NL
NS
ON
PEI
QC
SK
NT/YK
Overview

Rate Canadian Hospitals

Alberta Hospitals
British Columbia Hospitals
Manitoba Hospitals
New Brunswick Hospitals
Newfoundland Hospitals
Nova Scotia Hospitals
Ontario Hospitals
P.E.I. Hospitals
Quebec Hospitals
Saskatchewan Hospitals
The North Hospitals



MRI Dye Linked To Potentially Fatal Skin Disease
MRIHealth Canada is advising consumers of a notice sent to Canadian hospitals advising relevant health care professionals of safety concerns related to contrast agents containing gadolinium.  These contrast agents have been linked to a rare and potentially fatal skin disease that sometimes affects other organs.


A contrast agent is a liquid that is injected into the body to make certain tissues more visible during imaging procedures.  Contrast agents containing gadolinium are most often used during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  The disease linked to gadolinium-containing contrast agents is called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis/Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NSF/NFD).

To date, 109 cases of NSF/NFD associated with gadolinium-containing contrast agents have been reported worldwide. There are no reported cases of NSF/NFD in Canada.  So far, NSF/NFD has only been observed in patients with serious kidney disease.  The seven gadolinium-containing contrast agents authorized for sale in Canada are Omniscan, Magnevist, Optimark, Gadovist, ProHance, MultiHance, and Vasovist.

The most visible effect is lesions on the skin. Affected skin becomes thickened with a woody texture, restricting joint movement and resulting in the shortening or distortion of muscle tissue. A skin biopsy is necessary to accurately diagnose this disease.

Health Canada recommends that patients with serious kidney disease consult their health care professionals regarding their individual needs in order to minimize the risk of developing NSF/NFD following an imaging procedure.
 
< Prev   Next >