Use of contrast media in neuroimaging

Since their introduction, gadolinium-based contrast media are routinely used in most CNS MR imaging indications. Due to their paramagnetic effect, they significantly shorten the T1 relaxation times of the tissue and are therefore applied to improve the sensitivity and specificity of CNS diseases and to allow a better treatment decision, planning, and follow-up. More recently, contrast media have also been used to allow the measurement of tissue perfusion and to follow the time course of enhancement in dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging studies. Routinely they are used to enhance MR angiography studies.