[Gd-DTPA in the diagnosis of brain metastasis]

The potentialities of present-day methods of imaging (computer-aided and magnetic resonance tomography) in the diagnosis of metastatic involvement of the brain are discussed. Besides routine scanning, the authors assess the efficacy of a contrast agent Gd-DTPA (Magnevist, Schering AG, Germany) used in magnetic imaging. The potentialities of reinforced-aided tomography, 0.04 and 1.0 Tesla magnetic imaging are compared on the basis of 23 cases. The results indicate that magnetic imaging at low-intensity magnetic field is approximately as effective as computer-aided tomography in the assessment of metastatic involvement of the brain; contrast reinforcement with Gd-DTPA appreciably improves the informative value of the method in comparison with reinforced computer-aided tomography. As for 1.0 Tesla magnetic imaging, it is highly informative and accurate in assessment of the type (single or multiple) of the pathologic process. Extra contrast staining with Gd-DTPA makes magnetic imaging still more reliable and superior to computer-aided tomography and 0.04 T magnetic imaging in the diagnosis of metastatic involvement of the brain. In this investigation authors performed analysis of 23 observations with metastases (22 cases were hystological verified) and estimated possibilities of modern diagnostic methods such as CT (+CM), standard MR imaging and MRI with Gd-DTPA (Magnevist, Schering AG, Germany). Authors have noticed that MR imaging with contrast enhancement is more efficient in diagnosis of brain metastases in comparison with CT. Metastases showed the signal intensity increase after Gd-DTPA injection. Small tumors and nodi situated nearly skull base and in cerebellum were more distinguished on MR imaging with contrast enhancement than before it.