Can unenhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging be used in routine follow up of meningiomas to avoid gadolinium deposition in brain?

Abstract

Purpose: We hypothesized that unenhanced brain MRI can be used in follow up of patients with intracranial meningioma to avoid gadolinium deposition in the brain and allow measurement of meningioma dimensions from pre-contrast T2-weighted images.

Methods: Dimensions of meningiomas were measured on pre-contrast T2, post-contrast T1 weighted images.

Results: The sizes of meningiomas in post-contrast axial T1-weighted images were similar with that in pre-contrast axial T2-weighted images. Signal intensity increase was detected in dentate nucleus and globus pallidus (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Gadolinium deposition could be avoided in patients with meningioma by using unenhanced brain MRI for follow up scans.