[Brain and spinal tumors: magnetic resonance imaging using gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA)].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 17 patients (with 24 tumors) before and after intravenous administration of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA). Contrast enhancement was seen in 16 patients. The image pattern of enhancement is the same as that of CT. With 0.1 mmol/kg intravenous bolus injection, the best enhancement can keep for one hour. In brain, the degree of enhancement was greater than that seen with CT in 7 tumours, equal to it in 12 tumors, and less in zero. MRI distinguished between tumour and peritumoral edema to the same extent as did CT. No side-effects were encountered and there was no significant change in regular urine and blood tests after administration of Gd-DTPA. T1-weighted images of spin echo pulse sequence are the best pulse sequence to observe the enhancement. Gd-DTPA is of considerable value in MRI of the brain and spine.