Gadolinium Deposition in Brain after Intravenous Injection of Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents

Abstract

Background: Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) are commonly used in MRI. GBCA have been linked to signal changes in dentate nucleus and globus pallidus. Purpose: To assess the degree of gadolinium accumulation in brain structures among patients with GBCA administrations. Materials and methods: Retrospective study included 224 patients: 197 patients who underwent more than two MRI with linear-type GBCA and 27 patients from control group who underwent at least two MRI without GBCA. Results: Statistical analysis of the main group revealed positive correlation between difference in signal intensity of GP/thalamus ratio to the number of previous MRI with GBCA (r=0.145, p=0.042), with a time interval between first and last MRI (r=0,221, p=0,002), as well as to patients age (r=0.145, p=0.042). For difference in ND/ pons ratio positive correlation was found only with the number of previous studies with GBCA (r=0.172, p=0.016). Statistical analysis of patients who received GBCA of the same type (gadodiamide or gadopentetic acid) revealed the following correlations: in patients who were administered gadodiamide, a positive correlation was found between ND/pons ratio and the number of previous studies with GBCA (r=0,280, p<0,5). In patients who were administered gadopentetic acid, no correlation was found between the difference in GP/thalamus ratio, in ND/pons ratio and the number of studies with GBCA. Conclusions: Increased signal intensity at the pale globes and the dentate nuclei on pre-contrast images may be related to the number of studies performed with linear-type GBCA.