Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) is a rare and serious disease which involves fibrosis of the skin, joints, eyes and internal organs.

Though its cause is not fully understood, doctors have linked most cases with exposure to gadolinium (the dye used in MRI and MRA scans that allows them to see clearly into blood vessels in the body).

The gadolinium itself is considered harmless in normal people, but when given to people with kidney failure it can become lethal.

Unlike healthy people who can pass the dye through the system normally, people with moderate to severe kidney problems cannot remove it as easily.

Once the drug is in the system for too long, it begins to flow through the body freely instead of out through the urinary tract.

As a result of the disease, patients often develop muscle weakness; stiffness in their joints, problems with moving or straightening arms, hands, legs or feet and can experience pain deep in their hip bones and ribs.

They can also experience skin hardening, swelling and tightening; reddened or dark patches on the skin; burning or itching of the skin; and yellow raised spots on the whites of their eyes.

The disease can take several weeks or months to appear after injection with an MRI dye, but in some cases can also take up to a year.

For more information visit www.yourlawyer.com or visit www.nephrogenic-systemic-fibrosis.org.