Nephrogene systemische Fibrose

Abstract

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a novel disease entity, increasingly diagnosed over the last years in patients with renal functional impairment and chronic kidney disease. Recently, gadolinium-containing MR contrast agents have been causally associated with the development NSF. Herein, we present the case of a dialysis-dependent young patient with systemic lupus erythematodes, who developed disabling cutaneous sclerosis of extremities, abdomen and mammae. Clinical and laboratory investigations revealed no signs of activity of the underlying disease. Histopathological examination of a skin biopsy was consistent with NSF showing profound thickening of tissue septae with mucine deposition and slight fibroblast proliferation without inflammatory reaction. Analysis of the patient's medical history revealed that she had undergone repeated contrast enhanced MR scans, including MR angiographies with high doses of gadopentetate. UV phototherapy was little effective, and not until kidney transplantation two years later with good allograft function, improvement of clinical symptoms was observed. Discussion of this case summarizes the current knowledge of clinical features and pathogeneses of NSF, including the role of gadolinium-containing contrast agents. Evolving clinical implications are summarized in the current Tübingen University Hospital guideline for the use of contrast-enhanced MR scans in patients with impaired renal function.