title: Functional magnetic resonance cholangiography enhanced with Gd-EOB-DTPA: effect of liver function on biliary system visualization.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effect of liver function on biliary system visualization using gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (CE-MRC).
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 39 patients were divided into three groups according to their Child-Pugh classification: group A, Child-Pugh class A (23); group B, class B (11); and group C, class C (5). They underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA CE-MRC. Biliary system visualization was qualitatively rated on a 5-point scale. Relative signal intensity (RSI) of common bile duct (CBD) and liver was quantitatively measured. Laboratory findings and the Model of Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) score were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visualization ratings of CBD, left hepatic duct, right hepatic duct, segmental branches of intrahepatic ducts, cystic duct, and gallbladder of group A were: 3.61 ± 0.58, 2.87 ± 0.97, 2.96 ± 0.77, 1.17 ± 0.58, 3.04 ± 0.83, 3.00 ± 0.95, respectively; group B: 2.00 ± 0.61, 1.09 ± 0.64, 0.91 ± 0.54, 0.27 ± 0.13, 1.36 ± 0.62, 1.45 ± 0.54, respectively; group C: 1.40 ± 0.73, 1.00 ± 0.51, 1.00 ± 0.51, 0.00 ± 0.00, 0.60 ± 0.39, 0.60 ± 0.39, respectively. RSI of CBD of groups A to C were 17.12 ± 0.41, 3.95 ± 0.63, 3.33 ± 0.30, respectively. RSI of liver of groups A to C were 6.73 ± 0.72, 2.53 ± 1.02, 2.05 ± 0.11, respectively. CE-MRC images of group A were significantly better than those of group B and C in terms of both visualization ratings and RSI of CBD. CBD RSI positively correlated with liver RSI (r = 0.99, P < 0.001). The total serum bilirubin level and MELD score were significant predictors of RSI of CBD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different liver function according to Child-Pugh classification significantly affects biliary system visualization of Gd-EOB-DTPA CE-MRC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Huasong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Yanji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Keguo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Zi-Ping
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
keywords: Child-Pugh classification; Gd-EOB-DTPA; magnetic resonance cholangiography