title: Gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of intracranial metastases: effect of dose on lesion detection and delineation.
abstract: Seventy-four patients with one to eight proven intraaxial metastatic lesions to the brain received a total gadobenate dimeglumine dose of 0.3 mmol/kg of body weight, administered as three sequential bolus injections of 0.1 mmol/kg, at 10-minute intervals over a 20-minute period. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of efficacy were performed after each injection and a full evaluation of safety was conducted. Cumulative dosing produced significant (P < 0.01) dose-related increases in lesion-to-brain (L/B) ratio and lesion signal intensity (SI) enhancement. Two independent, blinded assessors noted additional lesions, compared to unenhanced images in 31% and 33%, 49% and 42%, and 50% and 48% of patients after each cumulative dose, respectively. Significantly more lesions were noted after the first injection, compared to unenhanced images (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001; assessors 1 and 2, respectively), and after a second injection, compared to the first (P < 0.001 and P = 0.039; assessors 1 and 2, respectively). Neither assessor noted significantly more lesions after the third injection. For patients with just one lesion observed on unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted images, additional lesions were noted by assessors 1 and 2 for 27% and 26%, 48% and 35%, and 42% and 41% of patients, respectively, following each injection. Contemporaneously, diagnostic confidence was increased and lesion conspicuity improved over unenhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For patients with one lesion observed after 0.1 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine, additional lesions were noted for 24% and 17% of patients (assessors 1 and 2, respectively) following a second 0.1 mmol/kg injection. Only assessor 2 noted additional lesions following the third 0.1 mmol/kg injection. The findings of on-site investigators concurred with those of the two off-site assessors. No safety concerns were apparent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Homburg/Saar, Germany. ragsne@med-rz.uni-saarland.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kirchin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pirovano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colosimo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruscalleda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korves
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Salerio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Noce
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spinazzi
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine