Diagnosis and Potential Cause of Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)/Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) is a disorder characterized most visibly by skin lesions and hardened plaques on the skin. Usually, the extremities are most affected. NSF/NFD can also be found in other parts of the body, such as lungs, myocardium and skeletal muscle. The disorder is found in patients with kidney failure. NSF/NFD can be fatal. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis/Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy has been connected to the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in imaging studies such as MRI. Gadolinium-based contrast agents include Omniscan, Magnevist, ProHance, OptiMARK and MultiHance. Because Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis/Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy is similar to other skin conditions, it is a diagnosis of exclusion, using deep tissue biopsy.