Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography · 1994 · 65 citations · 0 references
MedicineNuclear MedicineRadiologyBiomedical ImagingDiagnostic ImagingDiagnostic RadiologyBrain ImagingComputed TomographyContrast AgentsContrast MediaPost-therapy ImagingComputed Tomography Contrast AgentsContrastContrast Enhancement AnalysisContrast Enhancement PatternsIodinated Contrast AgentsIodinated Contrast MediaIodine-based ImagingLate Gadolinium Enhancement Imaging
Objective The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) could be used as a contrast medium in CT as an alternative to iodine-based compounds. Materials and Methods Solutions of different concentrations of Gd-DTPA and iopromide were scanned in a tissue equivalent phantom and it was shown that Gd-DTPA caused 2.5 times the attenuation of an equimolar solution of iopromide. From these in vitro studies an in vivo dose of 0.5 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA was calculated to be equivalent to 50 ml iopromide 300. Results Pre- and postenhancement CT was performed in a volunteer using Gd-DTPA intravenously, and adequate enhancement occurred in intracranial vessels. Conclusion Gd-DTPA can be used to provide enhancement during CT and might be of value in iodine-sensitive patients.