Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: A Review

July 2010 | Volume 9 | Issue 7 | Original Article | 829 | Copyright © July 2010


Amy Y-Y Chen MD, Matthew J. Zirwas MD, Michael P. Heffernan MD

Abstract
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a recently described, debilitating systemic disease most commonly seen in patients with renal insufficiency. Exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agent has been associated with the onset of symptoms. The epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, histolopathology, differential diagnosis and treatment will be reviewed. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion in susceptible individuals.