Gadoxate-enhanced T 1-weighted MR cholangiography: comparison of 1.5 T and 3.0 T.
OBJECTIVE
To qualitatively and quantitatively compare gadoxate-enhanced T 1-weighted MR cholangiography at magnetic field strengths of 1.5 T and 3.0 T.


METHODS
A total of 40 patients with a non-dilated biliary system were retrospectively included in the study. T 1-weighted MR cholangiography 20 min after IV administration of 0.025 mmol/kg gadoxate (Primovist) was performed in 20 patients at 1.5 T and in another 20 patients at 3.0 T. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) of the biliary system (common bile duct - CBD, right hepatic duct - RHD, left hepatic duct - LHD) compared to the periductal tissue were measured. Two radiologists also qualitatively assessed the visibility of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary system using a six-point rating scale. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The CNRs of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic hepatic bile ducts were significantly higher at 3.0 T. Qualitative analysis showed a significant superiority for 3.0 T in the delineation of the intrahepatic biliary system (RHD, LHD, segmental ducts).


CONCLUSIONS
Gadoxate-enhanced T 1-w MR cholangiography at 3.0 T offers better delineation of the intrahepatic biliary system in comparison to imaging at 1.5 T.
Universitätsklinik für Radiodiagnostik, Medizinische Universität Wien. claus.koelblinger@meduniwien.ac.at
C
C
Koelblinger
W
W
Schima
M
M
Weber
T
T
Mang
S
S
Nemec
C
C
Kulinna-Cosentini
N
N
Bastati
A
A
Ba-Ssalamah
D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA