Gd-DTPA: an alternative contrast medium for CT.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) could be used as a contrast medium in CT as an alternative to iodine-based compounds.


METHODS
Solutions of different concentrations of Gd-DTPA and iopromide were scanned in a tissue equivalent phantom and it was shown that Gd-DTPA caused 2.5 times the attenuation of an equimolar solution of iopromide. From these in vitro studies an in vivo dose of 0.5 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA was calculated to be equivalent to 50 ml iopromide 300.


RESULTS
Pre- and postenhancement CT was performed in a volunteer using Gd-DTPA intravenously, and adequate enhancement occurred in intracranial vessels.


CONCLUSIONS
Gd-DTPA can be used to provide enhancement during CT and might be of value in iodine-sensitive patients.
Diagnostic Imaging Department, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
A D
AD
Quinn
N J
NJ
O'Hare
F J
FJ
Wallis
G F
GF
Wilson
D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008961:Models, Structural; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA