Gadofluorine 8: initial experience with a new contrast medium for interstitial MR lymphography.
OBJECTIVE
Differential diagnosis of malignant and beign lymph nodes is still a problem in lymphographic imaging modalities. Plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are inadequate for detecting metastases in normal-sized lymph nodes and for differentiating enlarged nodes. Therefore it is important to have a contrast agent that accumulates in healthy lymphatic tissue but does not accumulate in metastatic deposits.


METHODS
The lymphographic contrast agent Gadofluorine 8 (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) is a lipophilic but water-soluble gadolinium complex. Lymphographic effects were investigated in guinea pigs, dogs, and tumor-bearing rabbits after interstitial (subcutaneous or intracutaneous) injection. MR imaging was performed using T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences until 120 min after administration.


RESULTS
After interstitial injection Gadofluorine 8 accumulates in regional lymph nodes, resulting in a pronounced increase in signal intensity in the lymph nodes. Differentiation between normal and metastatic lymph nodes was achieved.


CONCLUSIONS
Gadofluorine 8 is an innovative contrast agent that can distinguish between normal and tumorous lymph nodes in interstitial MR lymphography.
Misselwitz
B
B
Research Laboratories of Schering AG, Diagnostic Imaging Division, Contrast Media Research, Berlin, Germany. bernd.misselwitz@schering.de
Platzek
J
J
Radüchel
B
B
Oellinger
J J
JJ
Weinmann
H J
HJ
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media; D004285:Dogs; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008220:Lymphography / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011817:Rabbits
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C401682:gadofluorine 8