Correlation between administration of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent and grayscale value of T1-Weighted MRI images with fat suppression technique in the pediatric brain

In the MRI examination procedure, the administration of Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agent (GBCA) can cause changes in the signal of an image. In some cases, especially in pediatric patients, a lot of abnormal tissue is covered by fat tissue, so an additional technique in the form of Fat Suppression (FS) is needed. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between presenting GBCA and quantitative signals represented by grayscale values of T1-weighted FS axial brain images in pediatric patients. The data used are secondary data of pediatric patients with T1-weighted FS axial brain image specifications. Image reading is done by a radiology specialist. Then, area plots were performed on the abnormal tissue images before and after contrast. The grayscale value of each area was measured using ImageJ software. The measurement results show that the mean grayscale value of the image before and after the contrast with the FS technique has increased. This proves that GBCA in MRI examination with the FS technique can increase the signal intensity of the MRI image so that the lesions are seen more clearly.