Transport of the Gd-EOB-DTPA into the hepatocyte exceeded elimination from hepatocyte to bile. The high dose defined a biliary transport maximum for Gd-EOB-DTPA of 78.3 +/- 30.2 nmol/minute-kg. The liver accumulation results from fast transport into the hepatocyte and rate-limited slower transport from hepatocyte to bile. The accumulation occurs against a strong concentration gradient, suggesting energy-dependent active transport into the hepatocyte.

No abstract

This complex study was designed to measure the transport and excretion characteristics of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in dog's livers following bolus and infusion. Simultaneous T1 magnetic resonance imaging was performed to measure maximum signal enhancement. Anaesthetized dogs had cannulation of the common bile duct and urinary bladder for collections and cannulation of the femoral artery and vein for monitoring, blood sampling and infusion. Gd-EOB-DTPA was administered by bolus (range 12.5-200 mumol/kg) and infusion (range 0.4-6.4 mumol/min per kg). An hepatic transport maximum 0.09-0.15 mumol/min/kg was achieved with a blood concentration of 0.03-0.06 mumol/mL. Marked hepatic affinity for Gd-EOB-DTPA was demonstrated with measurements of liver concentration. Maximum T1 signal enhancement was achieved with blood Gd-EOB-DTPA concentration of 0.02-0.03 mumol/mL and a liver concentration of 1-2 mumol/g. The transport maximum for Gd-EOB-DTPA in the dog was similar to that for ipodate and iodipamide and effective imaging was achieved with sub-maximal doses. The maximum signal enhancement at blood concentrations less than required for maximum transport suggest a wide latitude for effective clinical imaging.

18 cases of syringomyelia examined over the last 3 years are reviewed. 9 cases were post‐traumatic (PT) and 9 were non‐traumatic (NT). Of the 9 NT cases, 5 were secondary to Arnold‐Chiari malformation, 1 was associated with Astrocytoma of the cord, and 3 were designated idiopathic. The appearances of syringomyelia on myelogram CT (MCT) – the accumulation of contrast within the cord – are discussed along with suggestions for optimum scanning technique. Myelography block was present in 3 cases, and partial block in a further 3. The presence of block, or estimate of cord size, obviously could not be assessed in our case of direct syrinx puncture. The PT cases were found to accumulate contrast earlier than the NT cases.