Safety and efficacy of contrast-enhanced MRI in the brain, head and neck: gadodiamide injection versus gadopentate dimeglumine

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gadodiamide injection, a non ionic MRI contrast medium in comparison with the ionic agent gadopentate dimeglumine. Two groups of 50 patients with known or suspected lesions of the brain or head and neck were enrolled in a double -blind, randomised trial. In the gadopentate dimeglumine group three patients reported four adverse events, and in the gadodiamide injection group, four patients reported four side effects. All events were minor. Two radiologists analyzed pre and post-contrast MR images. The parameters evaluated were the number of lesions, delineation of the lesion, gain of diagnostic information, and final diagnosis. Both contrast media gave identical diagnostic information.