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Gadolinium-DTPA in the magnetic resonance evaluation of the postoperative patient. Work in progress
G Sze1, I Berry, M Brant-Zawadzki
1Department of Neuroradiology, University of California, San Francisco.
Abstract:
The application of gadolinium-DTPA to magnetic resonance scanning has been demonstrated to have considerable potential. Because the evaluation of the post-operative patient is particularly difficult for magnetic resonance due to the non-specific appearance of surgical trauma and edema, we attempted to formulate some preliminary impressions regarding the use of gadolinium-DTPA in this setting based on our experience with 15 patients studied at varying intervals following surgery, from 2 days to 8 years. Specifically, the time course and appearance of normal post-surgical enhancement was found to exhibit certain patterns. Recognition of these patterns may allow differentiation from pathology and may result in gadolinium-DTPA adding useful information in evaluating these patients.