Use of magnetization transfer contrast to improve single breath-hold three-dimensional MR-portography with bolus injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine: a preliminary report.
We investigated whether better visualization of the intrahepatic portal system could be obtained by adding magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) to three-dimensional MR portography (3D-MRP). In 15 healthy volunteers, 3D fast low-angle shot images combined with an off-resonance pulse were obtained after bolus injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine during one period of breath-holding. Within 1 week after injection, MR images without MTC were obtained using the same scanning condition. MRPs with and without the MTC pulse were compared quantitatively and qualitatively. The contrast-to-noise ratio of the portal vein-liver was significantly higher in the group imaged with the addition of MTC. Qualitatively, the use of MTC improved peripheral portal branch depiction on maximum-intensity projection images. Even when the MTC pulse was added to the conventional method of 3D data collection, it was possible to obtain images within one period of breath-holding. In conclusion, the use of MTC can substantially enhance the quality of 3D-MRPs.
Suto
Y
Y
The Department of Radiology, Tottori University School of Medicine, Japan.
Kato
T
T
Kimura
T
T
Takizawa
O
O
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply*; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008536:Meglumine; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011168:Portal System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA