Efficacy of gadoteridol for magnetic resonance imaging of extracranial head and neck pathology.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated the efficacy of gadoteridol in patients with extracranial head and neck pathology.

METHODS

One hundred twenty-two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cases from a multicenter safety and efficacy trial of gadoteridol in patients with suspected head and neck pathology were randomly assigned for evaluation to one of two blinded neuroradiologists.

RESULTS

Enhancement of pathology after gadoteridol injection was noted in 96 cases (78.7%) and provided additional diagnostic information in 57 cases (46.7%). Improved lesion visualization was noted in 37 (64.9%) of these 57 cases; an increase in the number of lesions seen was noted in 4 (7.0%) of 57 cases. Blinded readers determined that additional diagnostic information provided by gadoteridol would have resulted in a change in diagnosis in 20 (35.1%, or 16.4% of total population) of 57 patients.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that gadoteridol is an efficacious agent for enhanced MRI of head and neck pathology.