Distribution of intravenous Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) in human olfactory regions in healthy subjects

Motivation: Animal studies show that the olfactory pathway is a primary CSF clearance route. However, human studies using intrathecal-GBCA show that the olfactory route may be less involved in CSF clearance in humans. As most GBCA-enhanced MRI exams are still performed using intravenous-GBCA, it is essential to investigate GBCA dis-tribution in human olfactory regions after intravenous GBCA administration. Goal(s): To measure intravenous-GBCA-induced signal changes in olfactory regions. Approach: Dynamic-susceptibility-contrast-in-the-CSF (cDSC) MRI was performed in 25 healthy subjects. Results: Significant MR signal changes were detected in the olfactory regions following intravenous-GBCA. Extracranial regions showed more significant GBCA-induced changes than intracranial regions. Impact: GBCA-induced cDSC signal changes were detected in olfactory regions of healthy subjects following intravenous GBCA administration. Extracranial regions showed more significant changes than intracranial regions, stressing the importance of separating these areas when studying GBCA distribution using intravenous injection.