The use of intravenous gadopentetate dimeglumine in magnetic resonance imaging of synovial lesions.

Spin echo T1- and T2-weighted images and intravenously administered gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained in 4 normal volunteers and 11 patients (11 joints) with painful, intermittent, or persistent joint swelling of unknown etiology. These studies were retrospectively reviewed to assess the benefits of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating the synovium. Normal synovium and joint fluid showed no visually apparent enhancement on images obtained immediately after intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. Abnormal synovium enhanced significantly, allowing the precise identification of equivocal or unsuspected synovial disease processes. These results suggest that, in selected cases, enhanced MRI can be a useful adjunct in the evaluation of suspected synovial disease processes.