Indications for gadolinium-DTPA in magnetic resonance evaluation of extracranial head and neck mass lesions: review of experience with 27 patients examined with a 2 tesla imager.

The authors review their experience with 27 patients who underwent gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 2 tesla. The contribution of the contrast agent was evaluated with respect to three properties--lesion conspicuity, margins and characterization. Gadolinium enhancement contributed most to the characterization of the lesion and helped to better define lesion margins in relationship to nonfatty tissues. It is concluded that gadolinium-enhanced MR images frequently give significant additional information in the evaluation of head and neck mass lesions.