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Central nervous system lesions in pediatric patients: Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging
T A Powers1, C L Partain, R M Kessler
1Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232.
Insights
Gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced MRI significantly improves the detection and definition of central nervous system lesions in pediatric patients. This contrast agent is safe and effective for diagnosing brain and spinal cord masses in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroradiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) masses in children require accurate diagnostic tools.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a key modality for evaluating pediatric CNS lesions.
- Contrast agents can enhance MRI visualization of CNS abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) in pediatric MRI for CNS mass detection.
- To assess the impact of Gd-DTPA on lesion delineation and characterization in children.
- To determine the safety profile of Gd-DTPA in the pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Twenty pediatric patients (aged 2-18 years) with suspected brain/spinal cord masses underwent 0.6T MRI.
- Imaging was performed both with and without 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA administration.
- Multisection, multiecho imaging sequences were employed.
Main Results:
- Gd-DTPA administration resulted in dramatic enhancement in 11 out of 20 patients.
- Improved definition of lesion presence and extent was observed in six patients.
- No adverse effects were reported in any of the study participants.
Conclusions:
- Gd-DTPA is a valuable tool for delineating the presence, extent, and number of CNS lesions in pediatric patients.
- The use of Gd-DTPA enhances diagnostic confidence in evaluating pediatric brain and spinal cord abnormalities.
- Gd-DTPA demonstrates a favorable safety profile for pediatric neuroradiological imaging.
Abstract:
Twenty pediatric patients, aged 2-18 years, with known or suspected masses in the brain and/or spinal cord were studied with magnetic resonance imaging at 0.6T with and without use of 0.1 mmol/kg gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). The multisection, multiecho imaging mode was utilized. Surgically proved mass lesions included astrocytoma (n = 6), medulloblastoma (n = 2), ependymoma (n = 1), craniopharyngioma (n = 1), oligodendroglioma (n = 1), germinoma (n = 1) and fibrosarcoma (n = 1). Presumptive diagnoses included astrocytoma (n = 3), arachnoid cyst (n = 1), tuberous sclerosis (n = 1), cryptic vascular malformation (n = 1), and normal (n = 1). There was dramatic enhancement in 11 of 20 patients, with improved definition of the presence and extent of lesions in six patients. No adverse effects were noted in any of the 20 patients. It is concluded that Gd-DTPA is useful in delineating the presence, extent, and number of certain lesions of the central nervous system in children.