Balance of T1-weighted images before and after application of a paramagnetic substance (Gd-DTPA)

Abstract

Ten patients with encephalitis disseminata and 10 patients with cerebral ischemia underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. The results before and after the application of contrast media were compared. It is shown that T1-weighted MRI images, even after application of gadolinium-DTPA, are of little value for differential diagnosis of these diseases. In contrast, T2-weighted images did support the diagnosis of an acute stage of encephalitis disseminata versus acute ischemia. This was also true for lesions that had not been adequately depicted by computed tomography.

The Added Value of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Muscular Dystrophies

“…Gadolinium-based contrast agents distribute in the extracellular space and when there is cardiomyocyte damage and cell loss, gadolinium distribution will be of greater volume than in normal myocardium. Gadolinium is used usually with T1weighted sequences and it decreases the tissue proton relaxation time, providing a hyperintense signal in the areas with fibrosis [17], that remains detectable for around 20-30 minutes after contrast has already washed out of normal myocardial segments.…”