[Can superparamagnetic contrast media improve MRI-tomographic images of experimental gliomas?].

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To investigate whether the margins of microscopic tumors can be delineated better with monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticles (MION), a superparamagnetic contrast medium, than with Gd-DTPA by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS:

MRI and histological examinations were conducted in 28 Wistar rats with sterotactically implanted gliomas (C6 gliomas). Of the 28 animals, 14 were examined after intravenous administration of MION [nine animals received 179 mmol Fe/kg body weight (dose 1), and five, 893 mmol Fe/kg (dose 2)]. The other 14 animals were examined first after i.v. administration of Gd-DTPA (0.2 mmol/kg) and then after i.v. administration of MION. The extent of the tumors as seen on MRI and at histological study were compared.

RESULTS:

Iron particles were identified microscopically in tumor cells and in the tumoral interstitium. After administration of MION at dose 1, the contrast-enhanced area of tumor was 1.55-fold greater than the extent of tumor identified by histological study, at dose 2,2.15-fold. Compared with Gd-DTPA the area of contrast enhancement was greater by a factor of 1.38 with MION administration at dose 1 and by a factor of 1.91 at dose 2.

CONCLUSION:

MION provides intra- and extracellular contrast enhancement. The area of the contrast-enhanced tumor is dose-dependently greater with MION than with Gd-DTPA and also greater than the extent of tumor seen at histological study.

• Authors: T Egelhof, N Delbeck, M Hartmann, S U Roth, V Elste, S Heiland, K Sartor
• Journal: Der Radiologe (Radiologe) Vol. 38 Issue 11 Pg. 943-7 (Nov 1998) ISSN: 0033-832X [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Verbessern superparamagnetische Kontrastmittel die MR-tomographische Abgrenzbarkeit experimenteller Gliome?
• PMID: 9861655 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media
• Ferric Compounds
• ferric oxide
• Gadolinium DTPA

Topics

• Animals
• Brain Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology)
• Contrast Media
• Disease Models, Animal
• Ferric Compounds
• Gadolinium DTPA
• Glioblastoma (diagnosis, pathology)
• Glioma (pathology)
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Stereotaxic Techniques