Abstract:
Purpose: In this study the macromolecular contrast agent Gadomer 17 was tested for its applicability in magnetic resonance imaging and for its compatibility. Furthermore, it was compared with the usually used contrast agent Magnevist.
Material and method: 10 female patients with 16 breast-lesions altogether were examined by magnetic resonance imaging with both Magnevist and Gadomer 17 within four weeks. All breast leasons were verified histologically within the following four weeks. We measured the curve of signal intensitiy, the time to the intensitiy-peak, the peak-value and the slope of increasement. Furthermore, we tested if the Göttingen- Score is applicable also for Gadomer 17. Also, we compared the enhancement of Gadomer 17 and Magnevist in breast tissue and in vessels. The compatibility of Gadomer 17 was tested by physical examination and blood tests.
Results: The data showed that Gadomer 17 enhances slower in lesions than Magnevist. A differentiation between benign and malign lesions based on single parameters was not possible, neither for Magnevist nor for Gadomer17. In the Göttingen-Score, the specificity for Gadomer 17 was higher, the sensitivity lower than for Magnevist. The good compatibility of Gadomer 17 was confirmed.
Discussion: In spite of the low number of lesions, some of the results are significant and at least suggest a possible increasement of specificity of the magnetic resonance mammography with Gadomer 17. To apply the Göttingen-Score to examinations with Gadomer 17, it would probably have to be modified. A possible field of application of Gadomer 17 could be the magnetic resonance angiography.