In the October 2014 issue of Investigative Radiology, Errante et al report study findings that confirm the association between the increase in the unenhanced T1-weighted signal intensity of the dentate nucleus and the number of gadolinium-enhanced MRI scans.  (The dentate nucleus is located within the deep white matter of the brain.)

The study included 38 patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and 37 patients with brain metastases (BMs) who had undergone at least 2 consecutive enhanced MRIs.  After calculating the dentate nuclei-to-pons (DNP) signal intensity ratio, these values were compared between patients with less than 6 and those with 6 or more contrast-enhanced MRI.  A progressive increase in the T1 signal intensity of the DNP ratio was observed in both the MS group and the BM group.  All patients had normal kidney function. (more…)