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Insights into Imaging
Published in: Insights into Imaging 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Multiple Sclerosis | Original Article

Visible T1-hyperintensity of the dentate nucleus after multiple administrations of macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agents: yes or no?

Authors: Alessandra Splendiani, Antonella Corridore, Silvia Torlone, Milvia Martino, Antonio Barile, Ernesto Di Cesare, Carlo Masciocchi

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the appearance of visible dentate nucleus (DN) T1-hyperintensity and quantify changes in DN/pons (DN/P) signal intensity (SI) ratio in MS patients after the exclusive administration of macrocyclic GBCAs.

Materials and methods

One hundred forty-nine patients with confirmed MS were evaluated. Patients received at least two administrations of gadobutrol (n = 63), gadoterate (n = 57), or both (n = 29). Two experienced neuroradiologists in consensus evaluated unenhanced T1-weighted MR images from all examinations in each patient for evidence of visible DN hyperintensity. Thereafter, SI measurements were made in the left and right DN and pons on unenhanced T1-weighted images from the first and last scans. A two-sample t test compared the DN/P SI ratios for patients with and without visible T1-hyperintensity.

Results

Visible T1-hyperintensity was observed in 42/149 (28.2%) patients (19 after gadobutrol only, 15 after gadoterate only, 8 after both), typically at the 4th or 5th follow-up exam at 3–4 years after the initial examination. Significant increases in DN/P SI ratio from first to last examination were determined for patients with visible T1-hyperintensity (0.998 ± 0.002 to 1.153 ± 0.016, p < 0.0001 for gadobutrol; 1.003 ± 0.004 to 1.110 ± 0.014, p < 0.0001 for gadoterate; 1.004 ± 0.011 to 1.163 ± 0.032, p = 0.0004 for both) but not for patients without visible T1-hyperintensity (p > 0.05; all groups).

Conclusion

Multiple injections of gadobutrol and/or gadoterate can lead to visible and quantifiable increases in DN/P SI ratio in some patients with MS.
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Metadata
Title
Visible T1-hyperintensity of the dentate nucleus after multiple administrations of macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agents: yes or no?
Authors
Alessandra Splendiani
Antonella Corridore
Silvia Torlone
Milvia Martino
Antonio Barile
Ernesto Di Cesare
Carlo Masciocchi
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Insights into Imaging / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-019-0767-x

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