Arterial visualization by contrast-enhanced moving-table MR angiography: crossover comparison of 0.1 and 0.2 mmol/kg doses of meglumine gadopentetate in normal volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the appropriate dose of contrast medium for moving-table MR angiography (MT-MRA) from the abdominal aorta to the ankle by comparing visualization with different doses of meglumine gadopentetate (Gd-DTPA) administered in crossover fashion to normal volunteers.


METHODS
Twelve healthy adults underwent imaging after crossover administration of 0.1 and 0.2 mmol/kg of Gd-DTPA in random order. Continuous MT-MRA was performed with a fast 3D spoiled gradient echo sequence without parallel imaging technique. Visualization was evaluated in a total of 252 arteries by three blinded readers who independently rated arterial visualization using a 5-grade scale. Signal intensity was determined and the blood concentration of Gd-DTPA was estimated.


RESULTS
Arterial visualization in the lower leg region was significantly better with a dose of 0.2 mmol/kg than with 0.1 mmol/kg (P<0.001). For all regions assessed the estimated blood Gd-DTPA level was significantly higher with 0.2 mmol/kg than with 0.1 mmol/kg (abdominal aorta, P=0.030; superficial femoral artery, P<0.001; posterior tibial artery, P=0.039). The vascular signal enhancement ratio and artery-to-muscle signal ratio were significantly higher in the upper leg and lower leg regions at 0.2 mmol/kg.


CONCLUSIONS
With continuous MT-MRA imaging from the abdomen to the ankle in normal volunteers, better arterial visualization and superior contrast were achieved with 0.2 mmol/kg of Gd-DTPA.
Hayashi
Hiromitsu
H
Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. MLB00941@nifty.com
Yuasa
Yuji
Y
Amano
Yasuo
Y
Tanimoto
Akihiro
A
Saito
Yoko
Y
Yoshioka
Kunihiro
K
Kita
Miho
M
Kumazaki
Tatsuo
T
Hiramatsu
Kyoichi
K
D000328:Adult; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA