Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography versus heavily T2-weighted magnetic resonance cholangiography.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (CE-MRC) and compare it with single-shot turbo spin-echo magnetic resonance cholangiography (SSTSE-MRC).


METHODS
Fifteen patients with suspected metastatic liver disease (n = 10) or biliary tree abnormalities (n = 5) underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (1.5-T system) examination before and after mangafodipir administration. Contrast-enhanced MRC with a three-dimensional fast low-angle shot sequence after mangafodipir trisodium administration was compared with SSTSE-MRC. Four anatomic segments were evaluated: the intrapancreatic and extrapancreatic common bile duct segments, the cystic duct, and the area of hepatic bifurcation. Contrast-enhanced MRC and SSTSE-MRC were separately analyzed on a 5-point grading scale in terms of ductal segment visualization and lumen narrowing or dilatation.


RESULTS
There was no difference (P = 0.375) in segment visualization between CE-MRC and SSTSE-MRC; 56 of the 60 segments were visualized by both techniques. In the evaluation of ductal narrowing or dilatation, nonsignificant differences (P = 0.500) were observed. Contrast-enhanced MRC was not influenced by fluid superimposition and provided additional information from background tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
Contract-enhanced MRC is a feasible technique showing anatomic correlation with SSTSE-MRC, and it can in addition provide functional information. Contrast-enhanced MRC may be used in selected patients when traditional SSTSE-MRC is inconclusive.
Papanikolaou
N
N
Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Medical School of Crete, Stavrakia, 71110 Heraklion, Crete.
Prassopoulos
P
P
Eracleous
E
E
Maris
T
T
Gogas
C
C
Gourtsoyiannis
N
N
D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000473:pathology; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008345:Manganese; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D003287:Contrast Media; D008345:Manganese; D011732:Pyridoxal Phosphate; D004492:Edetic Acid; C060076:N,N'-bis(pyridoxal-5-phosphate)ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid