The impact of gadolinium-based contrast agents on 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy in normal brain area: a preliminary study.

Background: Giving contrast material before ¹H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) could enhance the precision of locating the lesion of interest. However, evidence indicates that contrast material might influence the outcomes of MRS.

Purpose: To verify the effect of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) on MRS in normal white matter.

Material and methods: A total of 34 patients were referred for brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with GBCAs, and they underwent single-volume MRS before and after administering contrast material. Those patients had the MRS voxel placed at the right frontal normal white matter, which remained consistent across all examinations. Measurements were taken for the integral concerning N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr and Cr2), and myo-inositol (Ins) in all examinations.

Results: NAA (P = 0.0313) and Cho (P = 0.0094) had a significant decrease in their integral after intravenous GBCA administration. No significant differences were found between the pre- and post-contrast MRS studies for Cr, Cr2, and Ins.

Conclusion: Intravenous GBCA can alter NAA and Cho integrals in normal white matter. Therefore, brain ¹H-MRS should precede intravenous GBCA administration to avoid the potential impact of contrast material on peak integrals.