THE USE OF MR CONTRAST IN NONNEOPLASTIC DISEASE OF THE BRAIN

The clinical utility of intravenous contrast administration in nonneop lastic disease of the brain is well established. Although primarily pr oviding improved diagnostic specificity, contrast use can also improve lesion detection. Applications are discussed in infection, vascular d isorders, diseases of white matter, and trauma. On the basis of prospe ctive studies, contrast use is advocated in all patient examinations i n which there is a high clinical suspicion for intracranial disease. T he role of high-dose contrast administration, with agents such as gado teridol (Gd HP-DO3A), is just now being explored in nonneoplastic dise ase. Basic research suggests efficacy for high dose in disease states with partial or early blood-brain barrier disruption. Gadolinium chela tes play as important a role in the evaluation of nonneoplastic diseas e of the brain as do iodinated agents in computed tomography. Contrast administration facilitates time-efficient and cost-effective diagnosi s.