Initial clinical evaluation of gadolinium DTPA for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Gadolinium DTPA was evaluated as an intravenous contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging in 15 patients with primary or secondary intracranial neoplastic disease. T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained prior to contrast administration. T1 weighted spin echo 35/800 (TE/TR) images were utilized to detect enhancement. The increase in signal intensity observed, identifying areas of breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), was similar in magnitude to the contrast enhancement observed on CT. This permitted differentiation of neoplastic tissue from surrounding cerebral edema on MRI. Direct visualization of otherwise "isomagnetic" lesions was also demonstrated. The use of intravenous contrast media should significantly extend the diagnostic potential and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging.