Table of Contents
What is nephrogenic system fibrosis?
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a rare disease that occurs mainly in people with advanced kidney failure with or without dialysis. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis may resemble skin diseases, such as scleroderma and scleromyxedema, with thickening and darkening developing on large areas of the skin.
What causes nephrogenic fibrosis?
What causes nephrogenic systemic fibrosis? Most, if not all, cases of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis are caused by exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA). Exposure occurs when the chemical element gadolinium is used to enhance images gathered in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Is nephrogenic systemic fibrosis fatal?
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a progressive, potentially fatal multiorgan system fibrosing disease related to exposure of patients with renal failure to the gadolinium-based contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging.
Can nephrogenic systemic fibrosis be cured?
here is no cure for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and no treatment is consistently successful in halting or reversing the progression of the disease.
How many people have nephrogenic systemic fibrosis?
The incidence of NSF was 4.3 cases per 1000 patient-years. Each radiologic study using gadolinium presented a 2.4% risk for NSF. The association between gadolinium exposure and NSF was highly significant (P ≤ 0.001).
How can nephrogenic systemic fibrosis be prevented?
An association with the use of Gadolinium based contrast agents (GBCA) makes Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis a potential side effect of contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and offers the opportunity for prevention by limiting use of gadolinium based contrast agents in renal failure patients.
What is a risk factor for the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis?
Conclusion: A combination of factors, including altered kidney function, inflammatory burden, and exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents may all play a role in development of NSF. Alternative imaging should be considered in patients with these factors.