title: Inter- and intra-individual comparative study of two gadolinium-based agents: A pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute adverse events rate and enhancement properties of gadoterate meglumine (Dotarem(®)) and gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance(®)) in a small-scale controlled double-blinded study, using inter- and intra-individual comparisons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one randomly selected patients were scanned with Dotarem(®). The rate of adverse reactions, qualitative and quantitative image evaluation was performed vs. a control group of 46 patients who underwent MultiHance(®) over the same 1-month time period (population 1), and 27 patients who underwent both Dotarem(®) and MultiHance(®)-enhanced body MRI studies within an 18-month period (population 2). Data were subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 1 mild acute adverse event (vomiting) was observed in population 1 (with Dotarem(®)). Blinded assessment of image quality was good for both agents in all patients. Population 1 showed significantly higher liver percentage enhancement with MultiHance(®) (p < 0.0001). There was a trend to higher pancreas-to-liver enhancement with Dotarem(®), significant in population 2 (p = 0.0333).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This small-scale multi-blinded study characterizes a strategy to objectively assess intravenous contrast agents, which may be an ideal method to evaluate whether a new contrast agent should be introduced for clinical use at any institution, and to re-evaluate the agent in standard use. Whenever available, intra-individual assessment may be ideal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2022 Old Clinic Bldg., CB 7510, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7510, USA, shinks7832@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kyung Sook
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Mamdoh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: AlObaidy
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramalho
authors.forename: Yong Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Ersan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altun
authors.forename: Clifton G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Stallings
authors.forename: Richard C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Semelka
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine; C072417:gadoterate meglumine