The aim of this study was to search if half-dose gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced M
R imaging with magnetization transfer saturation (MT) can replace standard-
dose T1-weighted spin echo (SE) without MT saturation in brain tumors. Thir
ty patients with a total of 33 brain tumors (14 gliomas, 13 meningiomas, 6
metastases) were prospectively studied using T1-weighted SE half-dose of Gd
with MT, and T1-weighted SE standard-dose Gd without MT. The contrast-to-n
oise ratio (CNR) of the two sequences was calculated and four radiologists
reviewed qualitatively the images of the two sequences. There was no signif
icant difference between both techniques for quantitative analysis (Wilcoxo
n test). However, there was a good agreement between sequences to evidence
an intraclass correlation coefficient (r = 0.70) of all lesions. In cases o
f meningioma, the agreement was better (r = 0.84). The results show a diffe
rence in the qualitative data between the two sequences, suggesting the use
of the T1-weighted MR images with MT and half-dose of Gd with good results
in the whole tested parameters except the lesional edema and the presence
of artifacts. Half-dose T1-weighted SE with MT can replace standard-dose T1
-weighted SE without MT with no loss of contrast enhancement in investigati
on of meningiomas and saving 50 % of the contrast material.