Diffusion into human intervertebral disks studied with MR and gadoteridol.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of measuring diffusion into human intervertebral disks by means of MR imaging with an intravenous nonionic gadolinium complex (gadoteridol).


METHODS
In 18 patients undergoing lumbar spine MR imaging, signal intensity was measured in the intervertebral disks after a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg and after a supplemental dose of 0.2 mmol/kg.


RESULTS
Signal intensity in the intervertebral disks increased with both gadoteridol doses. A greater increase was consistently achieved with the 0.3 mmol/kg (total) dose than with the 0.1 mmol/kg dose. The increase was greater near the endplates than in the midportion of the disk.


CONCLUSIONS
Diffusion into human intervertebral disks can be detected with MR imaging after intravenous administration of gadoteridol. MR imaging with a paramagnetic contrast medium can be used to study diffusion into disk cartilage in vivo and noninvasively.
Akansel
G
G
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
Haughton
V M
VM
Papke
R A
RA
Censky
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004058:Diffusion; D017586:Diskectomy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery
D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C062402:gadoteridol; D005682:Gadolinium