Brain MR perfusion imaging in humans - Advantages of high-molarity gadolinium chelates

Purpose: To evaluate any possible advantages of high-concentration gadolinium chelates in the human brain thin-slice MR. Material and Methods: Thirty-six patients were allocated into six groups. Three groups had perfusion imaging performed using 7-mm-thick slices and the other three groups had 4-mm-thick slices. One group who had 7-mm slices and one group of 4-mm slices had 0.5 M gadolinium (20 ml) whilst other groups received the high-concentration gadolinium (1.0 M: 10 ml and 20 ml). The time-intensity curves were analysed for maximum signal reduction and signal-to-noise measurements. Results: Twenty nil of the 1.0-M agent produced significantly increased maximum signal change and improvement in signal-to-noise when compared to 20 nil of 0.5 M. There was no significant difference between the maximum signal change when 20 nil of 0.5 M and 10 ml of 1.0 M agents were compared. There was no significant difference between the maximum signal changes when 7-mm and 4-mm slice thickness using the same dosing regimens. Conclusion: Four-mm slice thickness perfusion imaging can be performed with high-concentration gadolinium in the human brain and we discuss the advantages of this.