Metal chelates as urographic contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. A comparative study.

Paramagnetic metal chelates including Fe-EDTA, Fe-CDTA, Fe-DTPA, and Gd-DTPA were compared as intravenous urographic contrast agents for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in rats. Each compound, administered intravenously at three different doses (0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mmol./kg.), was rapidly excreted through the kidneys yielding renal signal enhancement between 5 min. and 50 min. after injection. Gd-DTPA was most effective vor the enhancement of the renal parenchyma and pelvis. Lesser enhancement was achieved by administration of Fe-CDTA followed by Fe-EDTA and Fe-DTPA. Enhancement of skeletal muscle and liver parenchyma could not be achieved with any of the compounds included in this study. We conclude that the iron chelates mentioned above are less effective as urographic agents for MR imaging than Gd-DTPA.