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Contrast enhancement of normal intervertebral disks: time and dose dependence
M A Ibrahim1, A Jesmanowicz, J S Hyde
1Biophysics Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Purpose:
To determine the dose of contrast medium and the imaging strategy sufficient to detect diffusion of low-molecular-weight gadolinium-containing contrast media into normal intervertebral disks.
Methods:
In 11 rabbits, sequential MR images were obtained of the spine for 120 minutes after intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in doses of 0.1 to 2.8 mmol/kg. Images were inspected for evidence of contrast enhancement. Signal intensity was measured and plotted as a function of time and dose.
Results:
Contrast enhancement was detected by inspection of images and by measurement in animals receiving doses of 0.3 mmol/kg and larger.
Conclusions:
Diffusion of gadolinium-containing chelates into the intervertebral disk can be detected with clinically used doses of commercially available contrast medium. Therefore, with MR and a gadolinium-containing contrast medium, diffusion into intervertebral disks can be studied.