Effects of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid on T2-weighted MRCP.
OBJECTIVE
Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is a recently developed liver-specific contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging that is excreted equally via the kidneys and the biliary system. To our knowledge, its effects on T(2)-weighted MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) images have not been explored. Acquisition of the hepatobiliary phase is recommended 20 min after administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA. Examination time cannot be extended if the contrast does not take effect on T(2)-weighted MRCP within 20 min after administration. We attempted to assess the change in signal of T(2)-weighted MRCP by excretion of Gd-EOB-DTPA.


METHODS
Between March and July 2008, 40 patients (15 women, 25 men; mean age 70.8 years) were examined with abdominal MR imaging. T(2)-weighted MRCP was performed before and 10 and 20 min after administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA. We analyzed signal intensity of the bile duct, gallbladder, cystic duct, and pancreatic duct on MRCP for changes in intensity.


RESULTS
T(2)-weighted MRCP 20 min after contrast administration showed loss of signal of the bile duct (intrahepatic bile duct in all cases, upper extrahepatic duct in 36 [90%], middle extrahepatic duct in 33 [85%], and lower extrahepatic duct in 26 [67%]), the gallbladder in 23 cases (72%), and the cystic duct in 25 (64%). This signal change increased with time. We observed no change in signal of the pancreatic duct.


CONCLUSIONS
T(2)-weighted MRCP sequences should not be obtained after administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA because this contrast agent decreases signal intensity of the biliary structure on these images.
Nakamura
Yuko
Y
Department of Radiology, Kure City Medical Association Hospital, Kure, Hiroshima, Japan. yukon@kure-nh.go.jp
Ohmoto
Toshifumi
T
Saito
Tomoko
T
Kajima
Toshio
T
Nishimaru
Eiji
E
Ito
Katsuhide
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003549:Cystic Duct / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010183:Pancreatic Ducts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA