St. Louis, MOMary Crabtree is suing General Electric, GE Healthcare AS and other entities, alleging she developed Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) as a result of being given gadolinium-based contrast agents – or GBCAs – for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance arteriography/angiography (MRA).
According to the complaint, Ms. Crabtree was administered Omniscan, also known as gadodiamide, which is an injectable paramagnetic contrast agent used for MRI and MRA, made by GE. It contains the metal gadolinium, which is a highly toxic substance in its free state. For three additional MRA procedures she was given the GBCA Optimark, which is manufactured by Mallinckrodt.
The lawsuit states that following the administration of the GBCAs she began experiencing symptoms of NSF, including hardened plaques of skin ("orange peel skin"), skin lesions, fibrosis and contractures in her hands, feet, arms, legs and associated joints. She was subsequently diagnosed with NSF.
Consequently, she has suffered serious, progressive, permanent and incurable injuries, together with significant pain, physical insufficiency, disfigurement and scarring.
Ms. Crabtree is suing the manufactures of the GBCAs she was administered, seeking actual and punitive damages, and costs incurred to date for her personal injuries and suffering.