Contrast media in MR arthrography of the glenohumeral joint: intra-articular gadopentetate vs saline: preliminary results

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to compare gadopentetate and saline as contrast media in MR arthrograms of the glenohumeral joint. In 60 consecutive patients MR arthrograms with either gadopentetate (n = 26) or saline (n = 34) were performed. After injection of gadopentate, 3D gradient-echo (GE) images were obtained (TR 32 ms, TE 10 ms, flip angle 40 degrees). With saline, double-echo steady-state images (heavily T2-weighted 3D GE images) were obtained (TR 40 ms, TE 9/45 ms, flip angle 40 degrees). In the last 14 of these patients T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (SE) images were added (TR 2900 ms, TE 96 ms). Contrast-to-noise ratios standardized for imaging times proved to be superior for the gadolinium arthrograms compared with GE and SE saline arthrograms (intra-articular fluid vs subacromial fat: p = 0.0001 and 0.0008; intra-articular fluid vs supraspinatus tendon: p = 0.0001 and 0.046). Using a qualitative scoring system gadolinium arthrograms were superior to saline arthrograms (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001). Saline arthrograms in combination with GE and SE sequences are inferior to gadopentetate arthrograms with GE sequences.