Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a mysterious disease in patients with renal failure--role of gadolinium-based contrast media in causation and the beneficial effect of intravenous sodium thiosulfate.

Abstract

Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy/nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is an emerging scleromyxedema-like cutaneous disorder of unknown cause that is seen in patients with renal failure, and the number of reported cases has grown significantly since its first recognition. Recent case reports associated the use of gadolinium (Gd3+)-based contrast agents with the development of NSF. Herein is reported an additional patient who had NSF and had multiple previous exposures to Gd3+-based magnetic resonance imaging studies and had marked improvement in pain and skin changes after a trial of intravenous sodium thiosulfate. Discussed are the possible association of Gd3+-based contrast media with the development of NSF and potential for the use of sodium thiosulfate in the treatment of NSF.

• Authors: Preethi Yerram, Georges Saab, Poorna R Karuparthi, Melvin R Hayden, Ramesh Khanna
• Journal: Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN (Clin J Am Soc Nephrol) Vol. 2 Issue 2 Pg. 258-63 (Mar 2007) ISSN: 1555-905X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17699422 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Thiosulfates
• gadodiamide
• sodium thiosulfate
• Gadolinium DTPA

Topics

• Adult
• Contrast Media (adverse effects)
• Female
• Fibrosis (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Gadolinium DTPA (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Renal Insufficiency (complications, drug therapy)
• Thiosulfates (administration & dosage)