title: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: history and epidemiology.
abstract: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a new disease; the first case was diagnosed in 1997. It took 9 years before an association between NSF and gadolinium-based contrast agents (Gd-CAs) was identified. Gadolinium has several advantages for use in relation to enhanced MRI, but it is also a toxic heavy metal. For nearly 20 years, it was believed that Gd-CAs were safe, and they were used liberally. The prevalence of NSF cases varies between the various Gd-CAs, and adequate documentation of NSF cases after exposure to extracellular Gd-CAs remains a problem. All evidence points toward the fact that the real number of patients who have NSF has not been accurately totaled; the disease seems to be underdiagnosed for various reasons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark. hentho01@heh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Henrik S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Thomsen
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000266:history; D054989:Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history*; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA