Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography using gadolinium-EOB-DTPA. Preliminary experience and clinical applications

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) with heavily T2-weighted RARE and HASTE sequences has become an important imaging modality for the morphologic evaluation of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, However, for the diagnosis of functional biliary disorders, cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) and endoscopic manometry, two invasive techniques with considerable morbidity and mortality, remain the standard. Biliary scintigraphy, secretin-stimulated MRCP, and secretin-stimulated endoscopic ultrasound have not proven to be sufficient to replace these techniques as they lack diagnostic accuracy and correlate poorly with manometry results. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (CE-MRC) uses hepatocyte-selective contrast agents that are eliminated by the biliary system. Therefore, these substances can serve as biliary contrast agents in T1-weighted MR imaging. This method makes a noninvasive functional evaluation of the hepatobiliary system possible. In the present article, our preliminary experience with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC is summarized and potential clinical applications of this method are discussed. Additionally, the article reviews publications evaluating a possible benefit of CE-MRC with other hepatobiliary contrast agents such as mangafodipir trisodium.