Diffusion into human intervertebral disks studied with MR and gadoteridol.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of measuring diffusion into human intervertebral disks by means of MR imaging with an intravenous nonionic gadolinium complex (gadoteridol).
METHODS: In 18 patients undergoing lumbar spine MR imaging, signal intensity was measured in the intervertebral disks after a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg and after a supplemental dose of 0.2 mmol/kg.
RESULTS: Signal intensity in the intervertebral disks increased with both gadoteridol doses. A greater increase was consistently achieved with the 0.3 mmol/kg (total) dose than with the 0.1 mmol/kg dose. The increase was greater near the endplates than in the midportion of the disk.
CONCLUSION: Diffusion into human intervertebral disks can be detected with MR imaging after intravenous administration of gadoteridol. MR imaging with a paramagnetic contrast medium can be used to study diffusion into disk cartilage in vivo and noninvasively.