Effect of molecular weight on the diffusion of contrast media into cartilage

Study Design. A comparison of contrast enhancement in the intervertebral disc from two magnetic resonance imaging contrast media in experimental animals. Objectives. To test the effect of molecular weight on the diffusion of ionic contrast media into the intervertebral disc. Summary of Background Data. Intravenously administered gadopentetate diffuses similarly into the fibrocartilage of intervertebral discs and herniated disc fragments. Differentiation between recurrent disc fragments and scar tissue via magnetic resonance imaging is optimized by using contrast media, which result in different contrast enhancement of these two tissues. Contrast media of higher molecular weight diffuse more slowly into cartilage; hypothetically, therefore, such media will produce better contrast between scar tissue and recurrent disc fragments. Methods. Gadopentetate (molecular weight 546) or gadoliniure-polylysine (molecular weight 40,000) was injected intravenously into rabbits. The signal intensities of intervertebral disc and muscle tissue were recorded by magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and at pre-determined intervals for 2 hours after injection of the contrast medium. Contrast enhancement in these tissues was calculated in each animal for each contrast medium, and differences in enhancement were tested for significance by a growth-curve model. Results. Contrast enhancement in the intervertebral disc was significantly less with gadolinium-polylysine than with gadopentetate. In muscle, no significant difference between the two media was observed. Conclusions. Molecular weight affects the diffusion of paramagnetic contrast media into the intervertebral disc. Contrast media of a high molecular weight may produce better contrast between recurrent herniated disc fragments and scar tissue than contrast media of lower molecular weight. This possibility should be tested in further studies.