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MR Arthrography: a proposal for solution optimization with lidocaine. An in vitro experience.
Eugenio Genovese1, Leonardo Callegari, Alberto Magenta Biasina
1Cattedra di Radiologia dell'Università dell'Insubria, Ospedale di Circolo, Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy. eugegeno@tin.it
La Radiologia Medica
|January 22, 2004
Summary
Adding lidocaine to MR arthrography contrast agents improves patient comfort without affecting diagnostic image quality or solution viscosity. This enhances the feasibility of MR arthrography in painful joints.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Contrast Agents
Background:
- Pain during MR arthrography can limit examination feasibility.
- Local anesthetics may mitigate pain but could alter contrast agent properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine optimal contrast agent dilution for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in T1-weighted spin-echo sequences.
- Evaluate lidocaine's effects on signal intensity and solution viscosity.
- Assess viscosity of iodinated contrast agents.
Main Methods:
- Paramagnetic contrast agent diluted with saline and lidocaine.
- Signal intensity measured using T1-weighted spin-echo sequence on a 1.5T MR unit.
- Solution viscosity analyzed and compared to iodinated contrast agents.
Main Results:
- Lidocaine did not significantly alter signal intensity or viscosity.
- Optimal SNR achieved with 0.4% contrast agent dilution.
- Contrast agent-saline solutions showed time-dependent signal intensity changes.
Conclusions:
- Lidocaine addition is safe for MR arthrography, not impacting SNR or viscosity.
- 0.4% contrast agent dilution is optimal for SNR.
- Lidocaine facilitates MR arthrography in painful joints, improving patient experience without compromising diagnostic accuracy.