Factors contributing to blood-brain barrier disruption following intracarotid injection of nonionic iodinated contrast medium for cerebral angiography: experimental study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
This study was performed to investigate the role of injection methods and conditions under a fixed dose of radiographic contrast medium (CM) in respect to promoting blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption.


METHODS
A total of 44 white rabbits (average body weight 2.7 +/- 0.4 kg) were used, and their carotid injection was performed with nonionic CM. The variables assessed for the carotid injections included the following: iodine content (300 or 150 mg I/ml), liquid temperature (37 degrees or 24 degrees C), and the injection time duration (1 or 30 s). The rabbits were divided into five groups. To evaluate BBB disruption, pre- and post-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) studies were performed.


RESULTS
Abnormal enhancement of the brain parenchyma in MRI was noted in only one group, which consisted of high-iodine concentration CM injected at a low temperature over a short injection interval. Statistically significant increased values for the percentage of relative enhancement (RE%) were demonstrated (P < 0.05) in comparison with the saline-injected control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This result suggests variables that may need to be carefully considered to prevent BBB injury induced by nonionic CM for cerebral angiography, especially in the setting of a neurointerventional procedure.
Uchiyama
Yusuke
Y
Department of Radiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. yutiyam@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
Abe
Toshi
T
Tanaka
Norimitsu
N
Kojima
Kazuyuki
K
Uchida
Masafumi
M
Hirohata
Masaru
M
Hayabuchi
Naofumi
N
D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects*; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial / Q000379:methods; D007479:Iopamidol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
D003287:Contrast Media; D007479:Iopamidol; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA