Effect of gadolinium-based contrast media on intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI parameters in brain imaging

Current intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI protocols typically involve acquiring IVIM images before the injection of intravenous contrast media. The effect of contrast on IVIM model parameters remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of intravenous gadolinium-based contrast media on IVIM parameters (f, D*, and D) in brain MRI.

Thirty-one participants in the experimental contrast group (age 38.8 ± 8.81, 22 females, 9 males) and 31 participants in the control group (age 34.7 ± 9.68, 17 females, 14 males) were prospectively recruited. Pre-contrast, immediate post-contrast, and delayed post-contrast IVIM with 14b values following administration of gadoteric acid at 0.1 ml per kg body mass were performed in a 3.0 T MRI scanner. The IVIM parameters, and the nominal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated and compared between scans using repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t-tests.

No baseline differences in IVIM parameters were observed in the control group across the three scans (p = 0.077 to 0.866). In the contrast group, there were reductions in regional f, D*, D, and ADC values between the pre-contrast to post-contrast scan, followed by a return towards baseline in the delayed phase (p < 0.050). SNR (p = 0.056 to 0.513) and CNR (p = 0.359 to 0.999) were not significantly different before and after contrast.

Potential alterations in f, D*, D, and ADC are observed following administration of gadolinium-based contrast media. These changes may require consideration when performing IVIM after other contrast sequences.