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Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None disclosed.

Background: The condition that came to be known as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) was first reported in 2000 and, in 2001, was termed "nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy." Since then, NSF has been the subject of a wide-ranging multidisciplinary medical investigation that has proven an indisputable link to renal disease and a compelling association with the increasing use of gadolinium-containing magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents in the renally impaired., Objective: Although precise causation and risk factors continue to be elucidated, the need for reproducible prospective epidemiologic data demands clear and objective criteria for the diagnosis of NSF., Methods: Experts in NSF diagnosis used their experience and the resources of the Yale International NSF Registry to develop a clinicopathological diagnostic system for NSF., Results: A consensus scoring system incorporating a clinical and histopathological atlas was devised to guide and standardize the evaluation and diagnosis of NSF., Limitations: There is no laboratory test that can be used as a gold standard to diagnose NSF. To overcome this, we relied on classic clinicopathological presentations, published sources, and consensus clinical expertise to ensure the integrity of the study population., Conclusion: The clinicopathological definition of NSF provides guidance to physicians for the evaluation and diagnosis of NSF. Clinical, laboratory, and histopathological features comprise a schema that excludes conditions mimicking NSF while facilitating its reproducible and accurate diagnosis, even among physicians with little prior clinical experience with this entity. This definition can serve as a working diagnostic standard for future research and as the basis for adjudicating borderline cases., (Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) is a disease of unknown etiology that affects a subset of patients with renal insufficiency. Recent publications suggested an association between exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast agents and subsequent development of NSF. We sought to detect gadolinium within the skin and soft tissue of patients with NSF who were exposed to gadolinium-based contrast., Methods: Paraffin-embedded skin and soft tissue from NSF patients exposed to gadolinium, and from negative controls, was provided by the NSF Registry (New Haven, Conn). The tissue was searched for metals using a field emission scanning electron microscope that was equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy. The presence of gadolinium and other metals was verified through identification of unique and requisite X-ray emission spectra., Results: Gadolinium was detected in 4 of 13 tissue specimens from 7 patients with documented NSF who were exposed to gadolinium-based radiographic contrast. No gadolinium was detected in a paraffin-embedded specimen from a negative control. Based upon the known exposure history of patients with detectable gadolinium, a tissue residence time of 4 to 11 months was observed., Limitations: As this was a pilot investigation, only a single control specimen and a single histological section from each block of tissue were utilized., Conclusion: In this pilot investigation, gadolinium was detected in the tissue of a number of patients with NSF. Although neither dispositive of a pathophysiologic mechanism, nor proof of causation, the detection of gadolinium within tissue of NSF patients is supportive of an epidemiologic association between exposure to gadolinium-containing contrast material and development of disease.