T1 shortening in the cerebral cortex after multiple administrations of gadolinium-based contrast agents

Abstract

We report a 34-year-old male who manifested T1 shortening of the cerebral cortices after more than 86 contrast-enhanced MRI studies. We observed high-signal intensity (SI) on T1-weighted images (T1WIs) not only in the globus pallidus, dentate nucleus, and pulvinar of thalamus, but also in the cortices of the pre- and post-central gyri and around the calcarine sulcus. High SI in the cerebral cortices was not clearly demonstrated on T1WI scans performed 11 years earlier. The high SI we observed in these areas of the brain corresponded to areas with a normal iron-deposition predilection. Gadolinium deposition in the brain may be associated with the iron metabolism.