Effects of Iodinated Contrast Agent on Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Rationale and Objectives: To evaluate the effects of iodine contrast agent on diffusion signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) studies in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination just after computed tomography (CT) contrast imaging. Materials and Methods: On a 1.5 T MRI scanner, ADC was calculated from the signal intensity of DWI (b = 0 and 1000) using phantoms filled with contrast agent (0, 4.5, 6.0, 9.0, 30, and 60 mgI/mL). We evaluated the signal intensities of DWI and ADC in 10 patients (3 women, 7 men, 35-68 years old) examined by MRI study less than 40 minutes after injection of 100 mL of iopamidol (300 mgI/mL) for CT study. Results: The DWI signal increased until a CT value of 190 HU, but showed no changes above this value. The ADC decreased with increases in CT value. Less than 40 minutes after injection of iopamidol (300 mgI/mL) for CT scan, the signal intensity of DWI was significantly increased and ADC was significantly decreased. Conclusions: It is necessary to recognize the rate of decrease of ADC, because it is dependent on the density of iodine contrast agents. © 2009 AUR.