What is NSF/NSD?
NSF/NSD is a rare disease that only appeared in 1997. It has only been reported in patients with kidney disease. The disease can appear within a few days or as long as 18 months after a patient has undergone an MRI that involved the use of a gadolinium based contrast agent. NSF/NSD is a progressive disease that starts with high blood pressure. It leads to hardening and thickening of the skin that can prevent a patient from moving his or her joints. This fibrosis can also develop in the diaphragm, muscles in the thighs and lower abdomen and lungs. Over time, NSF/NSD will become worse, possibly leading to death.
