Keywords:
Contrast agents, MR
Authors:
G. D. E. Papini1, V. G. Nardella2, B. Cotticelli1, G. Di Leo1, F. Sardanelli1; 1San Donato Milanese/IT, 2Milan/IT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2012/C-0754
Methods and Materials
At our institution,
type and dosage of contrast material for neuro-MRI changed from 0.1 mmol/kg of Gd-DOTA to 0.075 mmol/kg of Gd-BOPTA beginning on February 2nd 2011,
without any change of imaging protocol at 1.5 T (Siemens Sonata).
The first 64 examinations performed with the new contrast administration regimen were compared with 64 examinations performed with the old regimen,
matched for examination type (29 brain,
7 cervical spine,
8 thoracic spine,
14 lumbar spine,
6 head/neck).
Each examination was evaluated blinded to the contrast regimen on a 3-point score as poor,
sufficient,
or good contrast enhancement of normal and abnormal findings.
Moreover,
18 patients studied with both contrast material administration regimen were selected (interval from 1 to 39 months).
On these examinations,
signal intensity (SI) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were measured on the same normal venous structures.
In a subgroup of nine patients who were not treated in between the two examinations,
SI and SNR were measured for abnormal enhancing findings (4 benign,
and 5 malignant tumors).
Chi-square and Wilcoxon test were used.