[Iron oxide contrast media improve the magnetic resonance imaging of the portal vein system--an animal experimental study].
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to demonstrate that intravenous superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agents improve the delineation of the portal venous system.


METHODS
The portal venous system of 8 minipigs was demonstrated by a FLASH 2-D MRA-sequence. Scans were acquired before and after intravenous administration of 10 and 20 mumol/kg of a superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent (SHU 555 A). Signal intensities were measured in the portal vein and hepatic parenchyma and contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated.


RESULTS
Following a cumulative dose of 10 mumol iron oxide, hepatic parenchymal signal intensity decreased to 67 +/- 6%, following 20 mumol to 29 +/- 4%, and following 40 mumol to 13 +/- 2% of control (p < 0.0001). These effects improved the contrast-to-noise ratio of the portal vein (469 +/- 114%, 858 +/- 243%, and 957 +/- 272% of control in the left portal vein main branch, p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
A decrease in hepatic parenchymal signal due to a magnetic susceptibility effect accounts for an improvement of portal venous conspicuity following intravenous administration of iron oxide contrast medium.
Böck
J C
JC
Strahlenklinik und Poliklinik, Virchow-Klinikum, Medizinische Fakultät, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Knollmann
F D
FD
Teltenkötter
S
S
Wlodarczyk
W
W
Mühler
A
A
Vogl
T J
TJ
Felix
R
R
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010316:Particle Size; D011168:Portal System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide