Intraindividual comparison of 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M gadopentetate dimeglumine for time-resolved contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography of the upper torso.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the signal characteristics and bolus dynamics of 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M Gd-DTPA for time-resolved, three-dimensional, contrast-enhanced (CE) MRA of the upper torso.


METHODS
Ten healthy volunteers were examined with time-resolved three-dimensional CE-MRA (scan time per three-dimensional data set: 0.86 second; voxel size: 3.6 x 2 x 6.3 mm(3)). Each volunteer underwent eight individual examinations after intravenous injection of 0.05 and 0.1 mmol/kg body weight (b.w.) of 1.0 M gadobutrol and 0.5 M Gd-DTPA using two injection rates (2.5 and 5 mL/second). The data analysis included quantitative measurements of the peak signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bolus dispersion (full width at half maximum (FWHM)) in the pulmonary artery, left atrium, and thoracic and abdominal aortas.


RESULTS
No significant differences in the peak SNR and bolus dispersion were observed between gadobutrol and Gd-DTPA for all dose levels and injection rates in any of the vascular segments. For both contrast agents a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg b.w. injected with 5 mL/second achieved the highest SNR in all vascular segments.


CONCLUSIONS
For the imaging parameters used in this study, higher-concentrated gadolinium chelates offer no relevant advantages for time-resolved three-dimensional CE-MRA of the upper torso.
Fink
Christian
C
Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany. christian.fink@med.uni-muenchen.de
Puderbach
Michael
M
Ley
Sebastian
S
Risse
Frank
F
Kuder
Tristan A
TA
Bock
M
M
Thaler
Julian
J
Plathow
Christian
C
Kauczor
Hans-Ulrich
HU
D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003287:Contrast Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013909:Thorax / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C090600:gadobutrol; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA