Effect of the rate of gadopentetate dimeglumine administration on abdominal vascular and soft-tissue MR imaging enhancement patterns.
OBJECTIVE
To delineate dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine enhancement profiles within the abdomen as a guide to improve gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography.


METHODS
Fifteen patients (eight women, seven men; aged 19-80 years) underwent fast three-dimensional spoiled gradient-recalled-echo imaging with the keyhole technique during the administration of 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine by means of bolus (10-second) injection (n = 5), 60 second injection (n = 5), or slow (120-230-second) pump injection (n = 5). Injection was initiated 10 seconds after imaging began. Regions of interest were constructed within the aorta, inferior vena cava, liver, spleen, renal cortex, muscle, and fat. Inclusion of phantoms of gadopentetate dimeglumine in tubes allowed estimation of intravascular gadolinium concentration.


RESULTS
Maximal arterial enhancement occurred with bolus administration; maximal parenchymal organ enhancement, with 60-second injection. Slow pump injection resulted in a longer time to preferential arterial to venous enhancement (120 seconds +/- 14 [+/-standard deviation]) than did bolus (48 seconds +/- 64) or 60-second (88 seconds +/- 39) injections. The peak arterial to venous enhancement ratio was 6.3 +/- 3.3 for the bolus injection, 4.7 +/- 1.6 for the 60-second injection, and 3.3 +/- 1.3 for the slow pump injection.


CONCLUSIONS
The dynamics and magnitude of abdominal vascular and soft-tissue enhancement are affected by the rate of gadopentetate dimeglumine administration.
Strouse
P J
PJ
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Mott Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0252, USA.
Prince
M R
MR
Chenevert
T L
TL
D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries; D003238:Connective Tissue; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA