Delayed magnetic resonance hepatic imaging with gadolinium-DTPA

Magnetic resonance imaging of the liver was performed on 11 rabbits (3-5 kg) before and at 4, 5 and 6 hours after the intravenous administration of 0.3 mM/kg Gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) to determine if hepatocytes exhibit delayed excretion of Gd-DTPA, similar to the delayed hepatic excretion of iodinated contrast agents. Imaging was performed at 0.5 Tesla in the axial plane using a spin echo sequence of TR/TE, 250/20 milliseconds. Precontrast and postcontrast intensity changes for liver and muscle were standardized and compared over time. The average percent of postcontrast enhancement for liver and muscle, respectively was: 30.6 +/- 9.5% and 17.3 +/- 17.0% immediately postcontrast; 9.7 +/- 13.6% and 1.6 +/- 13.8% at 4 hours; 9.6 +/- 7.8% and 4.3 +/- 13.2% at 5 hours; and 11.0 +/- 7.8% and 4.1 +/- 11.7% at 6 hours. We conclude that there is not significant hepatocyte excretion of Gd-DTPA at 4 to 6 hours postcontrast injection in rabbits and that this may not be an advantageous paramagnetic contrast strategy for focal hepatic lesion detection.     

MR imaging of acute cerebral infarction: experimental study with Gd-DTPA

To evaluate the sensitivity of MR imaging for acute cerebral infarction and the effectiveness of MR enhancement with Gd-DTPA, we created a canine model of cerebral infarction by transarterial embolization (TAE). The external and internal carotid arteries were embolized respectively through a transfemoral catheter. MR imaging was performed with the Yokogawa Medical System prototype superconducting MR machine "Resona" operating at 0.35 Tesla. MR enhancement was done with 0.4 mmol/kg of Gd-DTPA. Early detectability without Gd-DTPA was 60% (3/5) two hours after TAE and 67% (4/6) at three hours. MR imaging showed high-intensity lesions on the T2-weighted sequence (SE 2000/100). The T1-weighted sequence (SR 250-600/25-35) did not reveal any lesions four hours after TAE. Five animals which received Gd-DTPA showed abnormal enhancement in the brain parenchyma within 30 min after Gd injection on the T1 weighted sequence. Gd-DTPA enhancement not only improved early sensitivity for acute cerebral infarction when MR imaging without Gd-DTPA was negative, but also enhanced the size and number of lesions compared with SE 2000/100 images without enhancement. The breakdown of the blood-brain barrier was suggested to be an important factor in Gd-DTPA enhancement.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of acute myocardial infarction in pigs using Gd-DTPA

Six pigs with coronary artery occlusion were investigated with MR imaging before and subsequently for about 2.5 hours at repeated intervals after the intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA (0.4 mmol/kg). The animals were sacrificed after a total occlusion time of 6 hours and the hearts were excised. The excised hearts were then reexamined in the MR equipment and stained with TTC (triphenyl tetrazolium) in order to define areas of infarction. Four control hearts with 6-hour-old infarctions were only imaged ex vivo without any previous administration of contrast media. In vivo, there was no clear demarcation of infarction with or without Gd-DTPA. Ex vivo, without any contrast media, the infarctions were poorly discriminated with a discretely increased signal intensity relative to normal myocardium in the T2 weighted images. Gd-DTPA was found to accumulate in the infarctions, which caused an elevated signal intensity most pronounced in the T1 weighted images. This considerably improved the delineation of the infarcted area.     

Contrast-enhancing properties of Gd-DTPA at 2.0 Tesla

The contrast enhancing properties of Gd-DTPA in various tissues, including myocardium, liver, brain, skeletal muscle, and subcutis were investigated in vivo at 2.0 Tesla. Employing T1-weighted short pulse sequences (TR = 300 msec, TE = 14 msec) signal intensity of myocardium increased by 88%, brain by 19%, liver by 61%, skeletal muscle by 50%, and subcutis by 52% at 2 min after intravenous injection of 0.2 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA in rats. Signal intensity was highest at 2 min after injection and was relatively decreased at 20 min. Tissue intensities had returned to baseline at 60 min. In a separate experiment, fast (4 sec), repeated spin-echo image acquisitions allowed for assessment of the initial, dynamic distribution pattern of Gd-DTPA between 4 sec and 72 sec after intravenous injection. Tissue signal intensities peaked between eight and 16 seconds after injection and slowly decreased thereafter. This study shows that the contrast-enhancing properties of Gd-DTPA can be effectively assessed using T1-weighted short pulse sequences at 2.0 Tesla.     

SPIO与Gd-DTPA增强对裸鼠肾癌移植瘤显影价值对照研究

目的:比较SPIO与Gd-DTPA增强对裸鼠肾癌移植瘤显影价值.方法:种植人肾癌Ketr-3细胞的雄性裸鼠14只,随机分为2组:SPIO组7只,Gd-DTPA组7只.SPIO组先行T_2 WI平扫,后快速注入Reso-vist,注药后即时、10min重复T_2WI序列.Gd-DTPA组先行T_1WI平扫,后快速注入Gd-DTPA,注药后即时、10rain重复T_1WI序列.扫描结束分别测量两组移植瘤增强前后的信号强度及计算相对增强率.结果:SPIO组注入Resovist后,即时移植瘤T_2信号强度(SI)开始下降,10min后T_2SI逐渐回复.Gd-DTPA组注入Gd-DTPA后,即时移植瘤T_1SI明显增加,10min后T_1SI亦维持于较高水平.结论:Gd-DTPA对于肾癌移植瘤的诊断有着较长的强化时间窗,且强化效果较SPIO更明显.     

The effect on the blood-brain barrier of intracarotid contrast media--iopamidol and diatrizoate

The effect on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assessed following intracarotid injection of iopamidol (300 mgI/ml.), meglumine diatrizoate (305 mgI/ml.) and isotonic saline. Four ml/kg of 2% Evans blue solution and 0.1 mCi 99m Technetium-DTPA (Tc-DTPA) were used as tracers. No blue staining was observed in the saline group. Three out of 10 animals showed blue staining in the iopamidol group. All ten animals showed blue staining in the diatrizoate group. There were statistical differences between the diatrizoate and the other two groups. Tc-DTPA extravasation was 0.37 +/- 0.13 (mean +/- SD) in the saline group, 1.29 +/- 0.77 in the iopamidol group and 3.88 +/- 1.67 in the diatrizoate group. Statistical differences were observed among three groups. These observations suggest that Tc-DTPA is very sensitive in detecting a subtle BBB injury and that iopamidol had a significantly smaller effect on the BBB than did meglumine diatrizoate.     

Gadofluorine M增强磁共振成像在大鼠放射性脑损伤早期诊断中的实验研究

目的 探讨新型对比剂Gadofluorine M(Gf)在MRI早期诊断大鼠放射性脑损伤中的应用。方法 66只大鼠随机分为25、35、45、55和65 Gy组,各12只,对照组6只,X射线照射构建大鼠放射性脑损伤模型,照射后1~8周行MRI平扫及Gf增强扫描,每周1次。另取12只大鼠分为55及65 Gy组,每组6只,照后3~8周行钆喷酸葡胺(Gd-DTPA)增强及Gf增强扫描,每周1次。比较损伤显像时间、MRI参数和病理学改变评价放射损伤。结果 25及35 Gy放射组在观察2个月内MRI未发现异常信号改变,45、55及65 Gy组在放射后4~6周内,T1WI Gf增强扫描中逐渐出现强化改变,信号强度与对照组、25和35 Gy组差异有统计学意义(F =2.15, P ＜0.05),出现时间与剂量成反比(r=－0.62, P ＜0.05)。Gd-DTPA增强及Gf增强扫描对比结果显示,Gd-DTPA增强扫描未发现明显改变时Gf增强可见损伤改变,Gf增强信号强度较平扫及Gd-DTPA增强明显强化(F =2.74, P ＜0.01)。病理检查示65 Gy组病理学检查发现部分区域出现毛玻璃样变性,其余各组均未发现明显异常。结论 Gadofluorine M增强改变出现在病理改变之前,可用以早期发现放射性脑损伤,较常规扫描序列及Gd-DTPA增强扫描具有明显优势。     

MR evaluation of the glomerular homing of magnetically labeled mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model of nephropathy

PURPOSE: To assess renal glomerular homing of intravenously injected superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) at in vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in an experimental rat model of mesangiolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animal procedures were performed in accordance with protocols approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Fourteen rats were divided into two groups: one pathologic (n = 10), with persistent mesangiolysis following simultaneous injection of OX-7 monoclonal antibody and puromycin aminonucleoside in which 10(7) SPIO- and DiI-labeled MSCs were injected, and one control (n = 4). In vivo and ex vivo MR imaging examinations were performed with 4.7- and 9.4-T spectrometers, respectively, and T2*-weighted sequences. In vivo signal intensity variations were measured in the liver and kidney before and 6 days after MSC injection. Intrarenal signal intensity variations were correlated with histopathologic data by means of colocalization of DiI fluorescence, alpha-actin, and Prussian blue stain-positive cells. Histologic differences between the glomerular homing of MSCs in different kidney portions were correlated to the areas of MR signal intensity decrease with nonparametric statistical tests. RESULTS: On in vivo images, signal intensity measurements of pathologic kidneys following MSC injection did not show any signal intensity decrease (P = .7), whereas a 34% +/- 14 (mean +/- standard deviation) signal intensity decrease was observed in the liver (P < .01), where a substantial number of labeled cells were trapped. On ex vivo images, pathologic kidneys showed focal cortical (glomerular) areas of signal intensity loss, which was absent in controls. The areas of low signal intensity correlated well with alpha-actin and Prussian blue stain- and DiI-positive areas (P < .01), which indicates that MSCs specifically home to injured tissue. No MSCs were detected in the kidneys of control animals. CONCLUSION: Intravenously injected MSCs specifically home to focal areas of glomerular damage and can be detected at ex vivo MR imaging.     

不同浓度钆喷替酸葡甲胺体外实验及MR直接法膝关节造影的临床研究

目的 探讨不同浓度钆喷替酸葡甲胺(Gd-DTPA)MRI体外信号的变化规律及MR直接法膝关节造影的最佳浓度。方法 配制不同浓度的Gd-DTPA溶液各50ml，采用1．5T MR设备SE序列扫描、观察、测量。然后，选择2mmol／L和100mmol/L浓度Gd-DTPA分别进行直接膝关节造影。结果 Gd-DTPA浓度为2mmol/L时，TlWI信号强度最高；浓度为1．5mmoL／L时，T1WI信号强度最高。T1、T2浓度与信号强度曲线呈“L形”曲线样变化。膝关节直接造影，100mmoL／L浓度Gd-DTPA呈低信号且关节软骨显示清晰，2mmoL／L浓度Gd-DTPA呈高信号且半月板显示清晰。结论 不同浓度Gd-DTPA MRI体外信号变化规律呈“L形”曲线，MR直接法关节造影时，应根据关节病变不同，选择不同浓度的Gd-DTPA。     

Quantification of myocardial perfusion with FAST sequence and Gd bolus in patients with normal cardiac function

The present study reports on a new calibration of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity of a fast gradient-echo sequence used for in vivo myocardial perfusion quantification in patients. The signal from a FAST sequence preceded by a arrhythmia-insensitive magnetization preparation was calibrated in vitro using tubes filled with various gadolinium (Gd) solutions. Single short-axis views of the heart were obtained in patients (n = 10) with normal cardiac function. Myocardial and blood signal intensity were converted to concentration of Gd according to the in vitro calibration curve and fitted by a one-compartment model. K1 [first-order transfer constant from the blood to the myocardium for the gadolinium-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA)] and Vd (distribution volume of Gd-DTPA in myocardium) obtained from the fit of the MRI-derived perfusion curves were 0.72+/-0.22 (mL/min/g) and 15.3+/-5.22%. These results were in agreement with previous observations on animals and demonstrated that a reliable measurement of myocardial perfusion can be obtained by MRI in patients with an in vitro calibration procedure.     

Quantification of pulmonary blood flow and volume in healthy volunteers by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using a parallel imaging technique

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We sought to optimize the dosage of a paramagnetic contrast medium (CM) for the quantification of pulmonary blood flow and volume by contrast-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a parallel imaging technique and to prove the feasibility of the approach in healthy volunteers. METHODS: In a phantom study, the dependency of signal increase on different concentrations of the CM gadodiamide was evaluated by means of an ultra-fast MRI sequence with a generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition technique (acceleration factor = 2). Using the same sequence, measurements were performed in a healthy volunteer after administration of different CM dosages for contrast dosage optimization in vivo. Finally, perfusion measurements were performed in 16 healthy volunteers after the administration of the optimal CM dose. Signal-time curves were evaluated from the pulmonary artery and from predefined regions of the lung. Pulmonary regional blood volume (RBV) and flow (RBF) were estimated using an open 1-compartment model. RESULTS: Phantom studies yielded a linear signal increase up to a concentration of 5.0 mmol/L gadodiamide. Results of contrast dosage optimization in vivo showed that the maximum CM dose providing a linear relationship between signal increase and CM concentration in the pulmonary artery of a healthy volunteer was approximately 0.05 mmol/kg-bw. Quantification of pulmonary blood volume and flow was reproducible in healthy volunteers, yielding mean values for the upper lung zones of 7.1 +/- 2.3 mL/100 mL for RBV and 197 +/- 97 mL/min/100 mL for RBF and for lower lung zones, 12.5 +/- 3.9 mL/100 mL for RBV and 382 +/- 111 mL/min/100 mL for RBF. CONCLUSIONS: If an adequate amount of gadodiamide and fast MR sequences are used, quantification of pulmonary blood flow and volume is feasible.     

First-pass myocardial perfusion defect and delayed contrast enhancement in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy assessed with MRI.

BACKGROUND: Gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is known to be useful for detecting myocardial injury. In this study, we used first-pass myocardial perfusion and delayed contrast-enhanced MRI to determine whether an abnormal signal intensity was related to the left ventricular regional contractile function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with HCM participated in this study. Four short axial cine images of the left ventricle were acquired. Subsequently, first-pass myocardial perfusion images during the first passage of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg), and delayed contrast-enhanced images after a 15-min delay, were acquired in the same orientation as cine imaging. Each image was divided into eight blocks and a total of 384 blocks were analyzed. RESULTS: First-pass myocardial perfusion defects (PD) were detected in nine patients with an average of 11.5+/-11 blocks. Delayed contrast enhancement (DE) was detected in 11 patients with an average of 11.5+/-10 blocks. Mean wall thickness in PD blocks (16.7+/-4.7 mm) was larger than that in normal perfusion blocks (13.6+/-3.9 mm, p<0.001). Mean wall thickness in DE blocks (16.9+/-4.9 mm) was larger than that in normal enhanced blocks (13.4+/-3.6 mm, p<0.001). PD were located at almost the same site as DE, but DE areas were larger than PD areas (p=0.0021). Mean percent wall thickening of blocks with PD (63.1+/-44.7%, p<0.0001) and blocks with DE (75.2+/-81.5%, p<0.01) was lower than that in blocks with neither PD nor DE (103.5+/-66.0%). Significant correlations were found between percent wall thickening and percent PD (r=0.46, p<0.0001) and between percent wall thickening and percent DE (r=0.54, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Abnormal signal intensity from first-pass myocardial perfusion and delayed contrast-enhanced MRI are closely related to left ventricular regional contractile function.     

Differentiation of reversible and irreversible myocardial injury by MR imaging with and without gadolinium-DTPA

The current study evaluated the capability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to distinguish myocardium subjected to reversible and irreversible ischemic injury. Nine dogs underwent left anterior descending coronary arterial occlusion for 15 minutes (reversible injury) and nine for 1 hour (irreversible injury), followed by reperfusion for 24 hours in both groups. Six dogs from each group received 0.5 mmol/kg of gadolinium-DTPA intravenously; the remaining dogs received no contrast media. In the dogs with irreversible injury but no contrast media, there were prolonged T1 and T2 of the infarcted myocardium and adequate visualization of the infarct. The percentage of contrast between normal and infarcted myocardium was greatest on T2-weighted images. In the group with irreversible injury and contrast media, Gd-DTPA produced significant T1 shortening of injured myocardium, with resultant high signal intensity of the infarct, and significantly enhanced contrast compared with the group that did not receive Gd-DTPA. In the dogs with reversible injury, there were no regional differences in intensity or relaxation times. MR has the capability to distinguish myocardium with irreversible injury from that with reversible injury. The difference of T1 between normal and reperfused infarcted myocardium is increased by Gd-DTPA; thus, contrast between these two is enhanced on MR images.     

In vivo fluorine-19 MR imaging: Relaxation enhancement with Gd-DTPA

The lack of a naturally occurring background signal from fluorine in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging makes fluorinated compounds potentially attractive candidates for tissue-specific MR contrast agents. Problems associated with the in vivo use of fluorinated compounds are toxicity, which limits the amount of agent that can be used; multiple resonance lines; and an excessively long T1, which leads to long sequence TRs and consequently long imaging times. Many fluorinated agents also possess complex MR spectra that result in chemical shift artifacts if not corrected. The authors demonstrate the use of an extracellular fluorinated agent with a single MR peak for selective imaging of a brain abscess in an animal model and show that the image signal per unit of acquisition time can be enhanced through the use of a T1 relaxation agent, gadolinium diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (DTPA). Trifluoromethylsulfonate was administered at a fluorine-19 dose of 4 mmol/kg, and fluorine images of the induced abscess were acquired before and after the injection of a standard dose of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg); non—section-selected projection images were used. Typical imaging times were less than 5 minutes. The signal enhancement factor achieved was approximately four (4.0 ± 0.8) with use of a 500/12 (TR msec/TE msec) spinecho sequence.     

钆喷替酸葡甲胺-脂质体在兔MRI淋巴成像的应用研究

目的 研究钆喷替酸葡甲胺(Gd-DTPA)脂质体载体的淋巴组织靶向增强效果.材料与方法采用乙醇诱导法制备包裹Gd-DTPA的交错融合脂质体.将12只新西兰兔以数字表法随机分为对照组和反应性增生组,每组6只.反应性增生组采用兔大腿肌肉和腰窝皮下注射蛋黄乳胶的方法建立胭窝、腹股沟和腹膜后淋巴结三组相连续的反应性增生模型.分析各组淋巴结在Gd-DTPA脂质体增强前后的MRI特征,并采用配对t检验进行比较.结果 Gd-DTPA脂质体平均粒径2.2μm,平均包封率为82%,平均载药量为53%.平扫时两组腹膜后淋巴结大小有差异(t=164.21,P<0.01),而信号强度在T_1WI和脂肪抑制T_1WI上均无差异(P值均>0.05).Gd-DT-PA脂质体增强后,腘窝和腹股沟淋巴结在15 min时达到最大强化,SNR与平扫时相比差异有统计学意义(t值分别为76.32和48.39,P值均<0.05).腹膜后淋巴结强化较轻,约在30 min时达到最大强化,但SNR与平扫时相比差异无统计学意义(t=0.57,P>0.05).结论 Gd-DTPA可包裹于脂质体载体内,并可以用MRI显示载体淋巴组织靶向增强效果,为下一步鉴别肿瘤转移性淋巴结与反应性增生淋巴结打下了良好的基础.     

Acute myocardial ischemia: MR imaging with Mn-TP

Cardiac-gated magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in rats to determine the effects of manganese ethylenediaminetetraphosphonate (TP). Ten normal rats received Mn-TP in a dose of 50 mumol/kg through a tail-vein injection. Spin-echo MR images were obtained before and every 10 minutes after Mn-TP injection for 1 hour. Cardiac signal intensity (SI) increased more than 70% after Mn-TP injection and remained nearly unchanged 1 hour after injection. Myocardial T1 was 517 +/- 49 msec in eight control rats and 282 +/- 61 msec (P less than .001) in six rats 81 +/- 0 minutes after injection. Nine rats underwent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery prior to MR imaging. Images were obtained before and 15, 30, and 60 minutes after Mn-TP injection. In normal myocardium, SI increased up to 82% and remained elevated for 1 hour. In ischemic myocardium, SI rose 11%, leading to a marked contrast between the two tissue zones. T1 was also different in the two regions: In normal tissue, it was 206 msec +/- 54; in ischemic tissue, 338 +/- 82 (P less than .001). With T1-weighted MR imaging, Mn-TP showed a potential for delineating the jeopardized area after acute myocardial ischemia.     

Factors contributing to blood-brain barrier disruption following intracarotid injection of nonionic iodinated contrast medium for cerebral angiography: experimental study in rabbits

Purpose This study was performed to investigate the role of injection methods and conditions under a fixed dose of radiographic contrast medium (CM) in respect to promoting blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Materials and methods A total of 44 white rabbits (average body weight 2.7 ± 0.4 kg) were used, and their carotid injection was performed with nonionic CM. The variables assessed for the carotid injections included the following: iodine content (300 or 150 mg I/ml), liquid temperature (37° or 24°C), and the injection time duration (1 or 30 s). The rabbits were divided into five groups. To evaluate BBB disruption, pre- and post-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) studies were performed. Results Abnormal enhancement of the brain parenchyma in MRI was noted in only one group, which consisted of high-iodine concentration CM injected at a low temperature over a short injection interval. Statistically significant increased values for the percentage of relative enhancement (RE%) were demonstrated (P < 0.05) in comparison with the saline-injected control group. Conclusion This result suggests variables that may need to be carefully considered to prevent BBB injury induced by nonionic CM for cerebral angiography, especially in the setting of a neurointerventional procedure.     

Contrast-dose relation in first-pass myocardial MR perfusion imaging

PURPOSE: To determine the regime of linear contrast enhancement in human first-pass perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to improve accuracy in myocardial perfusion quantification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 healthy subjects were studied on a clinical 1.5T MR scanner. Seven doses of Gd-DTPA ranging from 0.00125 to 0.1 mmol/kg of body weight (b.w.) were administered as equal volumes by rapid bolus injection (6 mL/second). Resting periods of 15 minutes were introduced after delivery of Gd doses >0.01 mmol/kg b.w. For each subject, two series of rest perfusion scans were performed using two different multislice saturation-recovery perfusion sequences. Maximum contrast enhancement and maximum upslope were obtained in the blood pool of the left ventricular (LV) cavity and in the myocardium. The range of linear contrast-dose relation was determined by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: MR signal intensity increased linearly for contrast agent concentrations up to 0.01 mmol/kg b.w. in the LV blood pool and up to 0.05 mmol/kg b.w. in the myocardium. For Gd concentrations exceeding these thresholds the signal intensity response was not linear with respect to the contrast agent dose. CONCLUSION: Quantitative evaluation of cardiac MR perfusion data needs to account for signal saturation in both the LV blood pool and the myocardium.     

In vitro investigation of poor cerebrospinal fluid suppression on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images in the presence of a gadolinium-based contrast agent.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) enhancement on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images obtained post-gadolinium (Gd)-based agent injection is described in stroke and multiple sclerosis. Blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption with contrast agent extravasation into CSF shortens T(1) relaxation times, reducing fluid suppression. Reduced fluid suppression on FLAIR images was investigated in vitro in the presence of escalating gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) concentrations mixed with artificial CSF. Low Gd-DTPA concentrations impair fluid suppression of FLAIR imaging in association with progressively reduced T(1) values. At higher concentrations, the prevalent T(2) shortening effect can explain signal intensity (SI) reduction. Post-Gd FLAIR may be useful in detecting subtle BBB leakage.     

Ocular and cerebral metastases in the VX2 rabbit tumor model: contrast- enhanced MR imaging

Ocular and cerebral metastases developed after the inoculation of a VX2 tumor cell suspension into the internal carotid artery of 15 rabbits. The hematogenous spread of tumor cells resulted in ocular metastases in 13 of 15 animals (86.7%) and cerebral system metastases in 14 of 15 animals (93%). Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with Gd-DTPA demonstrated early disruption of the blood-ocular barrier and blood-brain barrier 5-7 days after infusion of tumor cells. Quantitative assessment of contrast enhancement revealed a mean increase in signal intensity of 145% +/- 51% in the anterior chambers, 102% +/- 70% for choroidal metastases, and 51% +/- 29% for central nervous system (CNS) metastases. These results indicate that contrast-enhanced MR imaging can be used to demonstrate a loss of blood-ocular barrier integrity that is similar to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier associated with metastatic tumors to the CNS and eye.