Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional pulmonary perfusion magnetic resonance imaging: intraindividual comparison of 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M Gd-DTPA at three dose levels.
OBJECTIVE
To compare 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M Gd-DTPA for contrast-enhanced three-dimensional pulmonary perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI).


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteers (3 females; 7 males; median age, 27 years; age range, 18-31 years) were examined with contrast-enhanced dynamic 3D MRI with parallel acquisition technique (FLASH 3D; reconstruction algorithm: generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions; acceleration factor: 2; TE/TR/alpha: 0.8/1.9 milliseconds/40 degrees; FOV: 500 x 375 mm; matrix: 256 x 86; slab thickness: 180 mm; 36 partitions; voxel size: 4.4 x 2 x 5 mm; TA: 1.48 seconds). Twenty-five consecutive data sets were acquired after intravenous injection of 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 mmol/kg body weight of gadobutrol and Gd-DTPA. Quantitative measurements of peak signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of both lungs were performed independently by 3 readers. Bolus transit times through the lungs were assessed from signal intensity time curves.


RESULTS
The peak SNR in the lungs was comparable between gadobutrol and Gd-DTPA at all dose levels (15.7 vs. 15.5 at 0.1 mmol/kg bw; 12.9 vs. 12.5 at 0.05 mmol/kg bw; 7.6 vs. 8.9 at 0.025 mmol/kg bw). A dose of 0.1 mmol/kg achieved the highest peak SNR compared with all other dose levels (P < 0.05). A higher peak SNR was observed in gravity dependent lung (P < 0.05). Despite different injection volumes, transit times of the contrast bolus did not differ between both agents.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher concentrated gadolinium chelates offer no advantage over standard 0.5 M Gd-DTPA for contrast-enhanced 3D MRI of lung perfusion.
Fink
Christian
C
Department of Radiology, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Innovative Krebsdiagnostik und Therapie, Heidelberg, Germany. c.fink@dkfz.de
Puderbach
Michael
M
Ley
Sebastian
S
Plathow
Christian
C
Bock
Michael
M
Zuna
Ivan
I
Kauczor
Hans-Ulrich
HU
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C090600:gadobutrol; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA