Dynamic MR imaging of liver metastases with Gd-EOB-DTPA.
OBJECTIVE
To assess liver and lesion enhancements by dynamic MR imaging after bolus injection of the hepatobiliary contrast agent gadolinium ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in patients with liver metastases and to compare the effect of different doses.


METHODS
A randomized double-blinded trial with doses of 12.5, 25 and 50 micromol/kg Gd-EOB-DTPA was performed in 35 patients with liver metastases. Liver enhancement, tumor enhancement and liver lesion contrast-to-noise (C/N) ratios were calculated from breath-hold gradient echo images (100/5/80 degrees) recorded precontrast and at different times up to 10 min postcontrast.


RESULTS
Normal liver showed a characteristic enhancement pattern, with a rapid enhancement in the first 45 s postcontrast and a slight but significant further increase up to 600 s. The initial enhancement in the lesions was also pronounced, but the enhancement was slightly decreased after 240 s postcontrast. At dose levels of 12.5 and 25 micromol/kg Gd-EOB-DTPA, C/N ratios significantly increased compared to baseline from 90 to 600 s. Postcontrast C/N-values obtained using 50 micromol/kg Gd-EOB-DTPA were not significantly increased, except for the examinations 480 s postcontrast.


CONCLUSIONS
In liver metastases, C/N ratios obtained with doses of 12.5 and 25 micromol/kg Gd-EOB-DTPA were slightly superior to 50 micromol/kg Gd-EOB-DTPA. This finding is probably due to a more pronounced extracellular effect of the contrast medium at higher doses.
Stern
W
W
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Germany.
Schick
F
F
Kopp
A F
AF
Reimer
P
P
Shamsi
K
K
Claussen
C D
CD
Laniado
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA