Related Experiment Videos
Gadofluorine 8: initial experience with a new contrast medium for interstitial MR lymphography
B Misselwitz1, J Platzek, B Radüchel
1Research Laboratories of Schering AG, Diagnostic Imaging Division, Contrast Media Research, Berlin, Germany. bernd.misselwitz@schering.de
Rationale And Objectives:
Differential diagnosis of malignant and beign lymph nodes is still a problem in lymphographic imaging modalities. Plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are inadequate for detecting metastases in normal-sized lymph nodes and for differentiating enlarged nodes. Therefore it is important to have a contrast agent that accumulates in healthy lymphatic tissue but does not accumulate in metastatic deposits.
Methods:
The lymphographic contrast agent Gadofluorine 8 (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) is a lipophilic but water-soluble gadolinium complex. Lymphographic effects were investigated in guinea pigs, dogs, and tumor-bearing rabbits after interstitial (subcutaneous or intracutaneous) injection. MR imaging was performed using T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences until 120 min after administration.
Results:
After interstitial injection Gadofluorine 8 accumulates in regional lymph nodes, resulting in a pronounced increase in signal intensity in the lymph nodes. Differentiation between normal and metastatic lymph nodes was achieved.
Conclusions:
Gadofluorine 8 is an innovative contrast agent that can distinguish between normal and tumorous lymph nodes in interstitial MR lymphography.