Ulrike Irmgard Attenberger1, Val M. Runge2, Carney B. Jackson3, Shannon S. Baumann2, Krista Birkemeier2, Henrik J. Michaely4, Stefan O. Schoenberg4, Maximilian F. Reiser1, Bernd J. Wintersperger1
1Department of Clinical Radiology, Munich University Hospitals - Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; 2Department of Radiology, Scott & White Clinic and Hospital, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Temple, TX, USA; 3Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kenntucky, USA; 4Department of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
Seven gadolinium chelates have been approved in countries across the world for contrast enhanced MRI of the brain. These contrast agents are, with one exception, formulated at a concentration of 0.5 mmol/mL. Gadobutrol is a double concentrated non-ionic macrocyclic gadolinium chelate, with high in vivo stability. Combining a 1.0 M, high relaxivity, gadolinium chelate and 3 T offers multiple opportunities for further improvement of lesion enhancement. The aim of this study was to evaluate tumor enhancement in a rat brain glioma model comparing 1.0M gadobutrol and two standard 0.5 mmol/mL gadolinium chelates, all injected at the same dose.