Contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the run-off vasculature: intraindividual comparison of gadobenate dimeglumine with gadopentetate dimeglumine.
OBJECTIVE
To compare intraindividually gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA) with gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) for multi-station MR Angiography of the run-off vessels.


METHODS
Twenty-one randomized healthy volunteers received either Gd-BOPTA or Gd-DTPA as a first injection and then the other agent as a second injection after a minimum interval of 6 days. Each agent was administered at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg bodyweight followed by a 25-mL saline flush at a single constant flow rate of 0.8 mL/second. Images were acquired sequentially at the level of the pelvis, thigh, and calf using a fast three-dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence. Source, subtracted source, maximum intensity projection (MIP), and subtracted MIP image sets from each examination were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively on a segmental basis involving nine vascular segments.


RESULTS
Significantly (P < 0.05) higher signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios were noted for Gd-BOPTA compared to Gd-DTPA, with the more pronounced differences evident in the more distal vessels. Qualitative assessmentrevealed no differences in the abdominal vasculature, a preference for Gd-BOPTA in the pelvic vasculature, and markedly better performance for Gd-BOPTA in the femoral and tibial vasculature. Summation of individual diagnostic quality scores for each segment revealed a significantly (P = 0.0001) better performance for Gd-BOPTA compared to Gd-DTPA.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater vascular enhancement of the run-off vasculature is obtained after Gd-BOPTA, particularly in the smaller more distal vessels. Enhancement differences are not merely dose dependent, but may be due to different vascular enhancement characteristics of the agents.
Knopp
Michael V
MV
Department of Radiology, Ohio State University Hospitals, Columbus, Ohio, USA. knopp-1@medctr.osu.edu
Giesel
Frederik L
FL
von Tengg-Kobligk
Hendrik
H
Radeleff
Jannis
J
Requardt
Martin
M
Kirchin
Miles A
MA
Hentrich
Hans-Rainer
HR
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D010388:Pelvis / Q000098:blood supply; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA