Gadodiamide and Dentate Nucleus T1 Hyperintensity in Patients With Meningioma Evaluated by Multiple Follow-Up Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Examinations With No Systemic Interval Therapy

Invest Radiol. 2015 Jul;50(7):470-2. doi: 10.1097/RLI.0000000000000154.

Abstract

The dentate nucleus of the cerebellum may appear as hyperintense on unenhanced T1 magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of the brain. Recently, T1 signal hyperintensity has received attention owing to data on the association of this finding with the history of multiple injections of gadolinium-based contrast agents, specifically gadodiamide, in patients with multiple sclerosis and brain metastases. We conducted a retrospective study on patients with a meningioma who had routinely undergone follow-up enhanced MRI scans with gadodiamide. Across a time interval of 18 months (from January 2013 to July 2014), we identified 102 consecutive patients eligible for this study. A significant increase in T1 hyperintensity of the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum on nonenhanced scans was observed between the first and the last MRI in the group of patients with a history of at least 6 enhanced MRI scans (P < 0.01), whereas no differences were observed in the group with 1 to 5 enhanced MRI scans (P = 0.74). Further research is necessary to shed light on the mechanism of the T1 hyperintensity as well as on the histological and microstructural appearance of the dentate nucleus after multiple intravenous injections of gadodiamide. The finding raises the question of substantial dechelation of this agent in patients with normal renal function.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cerebellar Nuclei / drug effects*
  • Cerebellar Nuclei / pathology*
  • Contrast Media / administration & dosage
  • Contrast Media / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gadolinium DTPA / administration & dosage*
  • Gadolinium DTPA / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Meningioma / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • gadodiamide
  • Gadolinium DTPA