In 2014, for the first time, visible hyperintensities on unenhanced T1-weighted images in the nucleus dentatus and globus pallidus of the brain were associated with previous Gadolinium- based... Show moreIn 2014, for the first time, visible hyperintensities on unenhanced T1-weighted images in the nucleus dentatus and globus pallidus of the brain were associated with previous Gadolinium- based contrast agent (GBCA) injections and gadolinium deposition in patients with normal renal function. This led to a frenzy of retrospective studies with varying methodologies that the European Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and Biology Gadolinium Research and Educational Committee (ESMRMB-GREC) summarised in 2019. Now, after 10 years, the members of the ESMRMB- GREC look backward and forward and review the current state of knowledge of gadolinium retention and deposition. Show less
Parillo, M.; Mallio, C.A.; Molen, A.J. van der; Rovira, A.; Dekkers, I.A.; Karst, U.; ... ; ESMRMB-GREC Working Group 2023
Among the 28 reporting and data systems (RADS) available in the literature, we identified 15 RADS that can be used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Performing examinations without using... Show moreAmong the 28 reporting and data systems (RADS) available in the literature, we identified 15 RADS that can be used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Performing examinations without using gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) has benefits, but GBCA administration is often required to achieve an early and accurate diagnosis. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current role of GBCA in MRI RADS. This overview suggests that GBCA are today required in most of the current RADS and are expected to be used in most MRIs performed in patients with cancer. Dynamic contrast enhancement is required for correct scores calculation in PI-RADS and VI-RADS, although scientific evidence may lead in the future to avoid the GBCA administration in these two RADS. In Bone-RADS, contrast enhancement can be required to classify an aggressive lesion. In RADS scoring on whole body-MRI datasets (MET-RADS-P, MY-RADS and ONCO-RADS), in NS-RADS and in Node-RADS, GBCA administration is optional thanks to the intrinsic high contrast resolution of MRI. Future studies are needed to evaluate the impact of the high T1 relaxivity GBCA on the assignment of RADS scores. Show less
Freeze, W.M.; Thiel, M. van der; Bresser, J. de; Klijn, C.J.M.; Etten, E.S. van; Jansen, J.F.A.; ... ; Veluw, S.J. van 2020
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) enhancement on T2-weighted post-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (pcT2wFLAIR) images is a relatively unknown neuroradiological marker for gadolinium-based... Show moreCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) enhancement on T2-weighted post-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (pcT2wFLAIR) images is a relatively unknown neuroradiological marker for gadolinium-based contrast agent extravasation due to blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption. We systematically reviewed human studies reporting on CSF enhancement on pcT2wFLAIR images to provide a comprehensive overview of prevalence of this new biomarker in healthy and diseased populations as well as its etiology and optimal detection methodology. We extracted information on the prevalence of CSF enhancement, its vascular risk factor and neuroimaging correlates, and methodological attributes of each study. Forty-four eligible studies were identified. By pooling data, we found that the prevalence of CSF enhancement was 82% (95% confidence interval (CI) 80 89) in meningitis (4 studies, 65 patients), 73% (95%CI 62-81) in cases with (post-) acute intracerebral hemorrhage (2 studies, 77 cases), 64% (95% CI 54-73) in cases who underwent surgery for aneurysm treatment (2 studies, 99 patients), 40% (95% CI 30-51) in cases who underwent surgery for carotid artery disease treatment (3 studies, 76 patients), 27% (95% CI 25-30) in cases with acute ischemic stroke (9 studies, 1148 patients), 21% (95% CI 17-23) in multiple sclerosis (6 studies, 897 patients), and 13% (95% CI 7-21) in adult controls (4 studies, 112 cases). Presence of CSF enhancement was associated with higher age in eleven studies, with lobar cerebral micmbleeds in one study, and with cerebral atrophy in four studies. PcT2wFLAIR imaging represents a promising method that can provide novel perspectives on BBB leakage into CSF compartments, with the potential to reveal important new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of varying neurological diseases. Show less
Quattrocchi, C.C.; Ramalho, J.; Molen, A.J. van der; Rovira, A.; Radbruch, A.; GREC; ... ; European Soc Neuroradiology 2019
After the initial report in 2014 on T1-weighted (T1w) hyperintensity of deep brain nuclei following serial injections of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), a multitude of studies on... Show moreAfter the initial report in 2014 on T1-weighted (T1w) hyperintensity of deep brain nuclei following serial injections of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), a multitude of studies on the potential of the marketed GBCAs to cause T1w hyperintensity in the brain have been published. The vast majority of these studies found a signal intensity (SI) increase for linear GBCAs in the brain-first and foremost in the dentate nucleus-while no SI increase was found for macrocyclic GBCAs. However, the scientific debate about this finding is kept alive by the fact that SI differences do not unequivocally represent the amount of gadolinium retained. Since the study design of the SI measurement in various brain structures is relatively simple, MRI studies investigating gadolinium-dependent T1w hyperintensity are currently conducted at multiple institutions worldwide. However, methodological mistakes may result in flawed conclusions. In this position statement, we assess the methodological basis of the published retrospective studies and define quality standards for future studies to give guidance to the scientific community and to help identify studies with potentially flawed methodology and misleading results.Key Points center dot A multitude of studies has been published on the potential of the marketed GBCAs to cause T1w hyperintensity in the brain.center dot The gadolinium-dependent T1w hyperintensity in the brain depends on patient's history, types of GBCAs used (i.e., linear vs. macrocyclic GBCAs) and MR imaging setup and protocols.center dot Quality standards for the design of future studies are needed to standardize methodology and avoid potentially misleading results from retrospective studies. Show less
