title: Serial study of gadolinium-DTPA MRI enhancement in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: We performed serial baseline and gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA-enhanced MRI in 4 patients with definite multiple sclerosis. Studies were performed every month for a total of 4 scans. We obtained short TR/short TE sequences at 10 and 60 minutes after Gd-DTPA injection. All patients had multiple hyperintense lesions seen on baseline MRI with long TR/short and long TE. There was Gd-DTPA enhancement in new, enlarging, and preexisting lesions that were unchanged in size. The enhancing lesions were always seen on T2-weighted images. There was no difference in enhancement between the 10- and 60-minute studies. Six of 85 preexisting lesions enhanced whereas all new or enlarging lesions enhanced. Enhancement persisted in only 1/3 of the new or enlarging lesions, suggesting that MR enhancement is a transient phenomenon due to local temporary blood-brain barrier breakdown. Our data indicate that Gd-DTPA enhancement monitoring is more sensitive than unenhanced MRI for detecting disease activity in MS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bastianello
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozzilli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bozzao
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fantozzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buttinelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fieschi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA