Comparison of Gd-DTPA-induced signal enhancements in rat brain C6 glioma among different pulse sequences in 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.
BACKGROUND
T1-shortening contrast media are routinely used in magnetic resonance (MR) examinations for the diagnosis of brain tumors. Although some studies show a benefit of 3 Tesla (T) compared to 1.5T in delineation of brain tumors using contrast media, it is unclear which pulse sequences are optimal.


OBJECTIVE
To compare gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA)-induced signal enhancements in rat brain C6 glioma in the thalamus region among different pulse sequences in 3T MR imaging.


METHODS
Five rats with a surgically implanted C6 glioma in their thalamus were examined. T1-weighted brain images of the five rats were acquired before and after Gd-DTPA administration (0.1 mmol/kg) using three clinically available pulse sequences (spin echo [SE], fast SE [FSE], fast spoiled gradient echo [FSPGR]) at 3T. Signal enhancement in the glioma (E(T)) was calculated as the signal intensity after Gd-DTPA administration scaled by that before administration. Pulse sequences were compared using the Tukey-Kramer test.


RESULTS
E(T) was 1.12+/-0.05 for FSE, 1.26+/-0.11 for FSPGR, and 1.20+/-0.11 for SE. FSPGR showed significantly higher signal enhancement than FSE and comparable enhancement to SE.


CONCLUSIONS
FSPGR is superior to FSE and comparable to SE in its ability to delineate rat brain C6 glioma in the thalamus region.
Sato
H
H
Laboratory for Diagnostic Solutions, Advanced Medical Engineering Center, Research Institute, National Cardiovascular Center, 5-7-1 Fujishiro-dai, Suita, Osaka 565-8565, Japan. camo@ri.ncvc.go.jp
Enmi
J
J
Teramoto
N
N
Hayashi
T
T
Yamamoto
A
A
Tsuji
T
T
Naito
H
H
Iida
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D005910:Glioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013788:Thalamus / Q000473:pathology
D003287:Contrast Media; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA