Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD)
An Older Name for Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)
Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD) is an older name for
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), a disease caused by the injection of
gadolinium-based contrast agents and most often developed by persons on dialysis, with near or total renal failure, or other impaired kidney function.
The name “Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy” Reflects the Initial Misconception that NSF/NFD Was a Skin Disease
The name Neprogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy reflects the initial view -- now known to be incorrect -- that NSF/NFD was a skin disease. The word “dermopathy,” derived from the Latin word for skin, means “a disease of the skin.”
Typically, the first symptoms of NSF/NFD appear on the skin:
- Swelling, thickening and tightening of the skin, especially on the legs or arms;
- Skin is hard and feels woody or leathery; and
- Inability to walk or close hands in advanced cases
These skin symptoms were what first lead to the discovery of NSF/NFD.
NSF/NFD was first identified as a unique disorder in 1997, by Philip LeBoit, M.D., at the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. LeBoit is a dermatopathologist, a specialist at diagnosing skin biopsies under the microscope. Dr. LeBoit received, in consultation, a number pathology slides from the Sharp Medical Center in San Diego, California. The biopsies were all from dialysis patients who had developed unexplained skin thickening, for whom kidney transplants had been unsuccessful.
See Shawn E. Cowper, M.D., “Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: An Overview” (2008).
By 2003, further research established that NSF/NFD was not a skin disease. An article published describing the first autopsy of an NSF victim revealed fibrosing in the patient’s esophagus, diaphragm, and muscle tissue. This confirmed that NSF was a systemic disorder and not just limited to skin tissue.
See W.W. Ting
et al., “Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy With Systemic Involvement” (2003). With proof that NSF was a systemic process, the leading researchers decided to change the name from nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy to NSF because the new term better reflected the current understanding of the disease.
See Ibid., Cowper. However, the two terms -- Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis -- describe the same disorder.
Please go
HERE for more information on the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of
Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF).
Contact DeCarli Law for a free consultation if you or a loved one may have developed NSF or NFD. The NSF attorneys/NSF lawyers at DeCarli Law are familiar with this condition, and can advise you regarding your potential claim.
We represent all individuals suffering from NSF or NFD in a gadolinium lawsuit or NSF lawsuit on a contingency basis. This means you pay no legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no obligation consultation, please call toll free at 1-800-401-4720 or fill out our short online contact form. A Gadolinium NSF lawsuit attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions.
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