Published in:
01-04-2015
Inter- and intra-individual comparative study of two gadolinium-based agents: A pilot study
Published in: Abdominal Radiology | Issue 4/2015
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Purpose
The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute adverse events rate and enhancement properties of gadoterate meglumine (Dotarem®) and gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance®) in a small-scale controlled double-blinded study, using inter- and intra-individual comparisons.
Materials and Methods
Forty-one randomly selected patients were scanned with Dotarem®. The rate of adverse reactions, qualitative and quantitative image evaluation was performed vs. a control group of 46 patients who underwent MultiHance® over the same 1-month time period (population 1), and 27 patients who underwent both Dotarem® and MultiHance®-enhanced body MRI studies within an 18-month period (population 2). Data were subjected to statistical analysis.
Results
Only 1 mild acute adverse event (vomiting) was observed in population 1 (with Dotarem®). Blinded assessment of image quality was good for both agents in all patients. Population 1 showed significantly higher liver percentage enhancement with MultiHance® (p < 0.0001). There was a trend to higher pancreas-to-liver enhancement with Dotarem®, significant in population 2 (p = 0.0333).
Conclusion
This small-scale multi-blinded study characterizes a strategy to objectively assess intravenous contrast agents, which may be an ideal method to evaluate whether a new contrast agent should be introduced for clinical use at any institution, and to re-evaluate the agent in standard use. Whenever available, intra-individual assessment may be ideal.