Intraindividueller vergleich dreier kontrastmittel (Gd-DTPA, Gd-BOPTA und Gd-BT-DO3A) mit der multiphasischen MR-angiographie

Question. The availability of new MR contrast agents having either a protein binding effect or higher concentration leads to the question if they differ from standard compounds in their vascular contrasting properties. Methods. By intraindividual comparison five volunteers were examined (1.5 T MR system) with a multi-phasic MRA of the abdomen each receiving three different contrast agents (gadopentetate dimeglumine 0.5 M;gadobenate dimeglumine 0.5 M, and gadobutrol 1.0 M). The dose (0.15 mmol/kg body weight) and flow rate (3.0 ml/s) were kept identical. All images were quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated by blinded assessment. Results. Significantly higher maximum signal intensity was found in the arteries for the protein interacting gadobenate dimeglumine (p = 0.05). No significant difference in vascular enhancement was demonstrated in the comparison of gadobutrol to gadopentetate dimeglumine. Conclusion. Gadobenate dimeglumine was shown to be a favorable contrast agent for multi-phasic MRA. A higher concentrated Gd-chelate does not automatically lead to improved vascular contrast if standard imaging protocols are used.