Gadolinium-DTPA in the evaluation of intradural extramedullary spinal disease Journal Article


Authors: Sze, G.; Abramson, A.; Krol, G.; Liu, D.; Amster, J.; Zimmerman, R. D.; Deck, M. D. F.
Article Title: Gadolinium-DTPA in the evaluation of intradural extramedullary spinal disease
Abstract: Gadolinium-DTPA was used in MR imaging of the spine to determine the ability of a contrast agent to increase the detection and characterization of disease in the intradural extramedullary space. Although MR imaging, especially with recent technological improvements, has been shown to be at least competitive with, and often superior to, myelography and postmyelography CT in the study of intramedullary and extradural disease, its use in the assesment of intradural extramedullary disease has been questioned. We selected 12 patients with intradural extramedullary disease as demonstrated by positive CSF cytology and/or myelographic findings and performed MR examinations on them before and after administering gadolinium-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg). Gadolinium-DTPA was extremely effective in depicting intradural extramedullary disease of the spine. Small nodules of 3 mm, virtually invisible on noncontrast MR scans, enhanced strongly and were easily detected. In addition, leptomeningeal spread of tumor along nerve roots was also visualized, sometimes more readily than by myelography and postmyelography CT. The remarkable sensitivity of gadolinium-DTPA to intradural extramedullary disease assures its role in future MR examinations of the spine.
Keywords: clinical article; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; glioblastoma; spinal cord tumor; ependymoma; gadolinium pentetate; meningitis; intravenous drug administration; carcinomatosis; computer analysis; arachnoiditis; human; male; female; priority journal
Journal Title: American Journal of Roentgenology
Volume: 150
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0361-803X
Publisher: American Roentgen Ray Society  
Date Published: 1988-04-01
Start Page: 911
End Page: 921
Language: English
DOI: 10.2214/ajr.150.4.911
PUBMED: 3258107
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 6 August 2020 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. George Krol
    86 Krol
  2. Michael D F Deck
    13 Deck
  3. Gordon Sze
    36 Sze