Development of contrast-enhanced virtual MR cholangioscopy: a feasibility study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of contrast-enhanced virtual MR cholangioscopy (CE VMRC). Intraluminal views of the extrahepatic biliary tree were generated in ten patients undergoing abdominal MRI post mangafodipir trisodium administration employing coronal 2.5-mm 3D fast low-angle shot (FLASH) images (TR 6.8 ms, TE 2.3 ms, matrix 195 x 512) with fat saturation and a commercially available software. Contrast-enhanced VMRC was compared with single-shot turbo spin-echo T2-weighted MR cholangiography (T2 MRC) in terms of ductal visualization and artifact presence, utilizing a five-point grading scale. Four anatomic segments were evaluated: the intra- and extra-pancreatic segment of the common bile duct (CBD), and the cystic duct and the area of hepatic duct bifurcation. Both CE VMRC and T2 MRC depicted 38 of 40 segments. There were no significant differences between CE VMRC and T2 MRC in ranking ductal segments visualization ( p=0.27). The high contrast between intraluminal fluid and extraluminal tissues facilitated the generation of endoscopic views. Contrast-enhanced virtual MR cholangioscopy is a feasible technique providing endoscopic views of the CBD. Initial results show correlation of CE VMRC with projectional MR cholangiography.

Comprehensive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Small and Large Bowel Using Intraluminal Dual Contrast Technique With Iron Oxide Solution and Water in Magnetic Resonance Enteroclysis

“…9,12-16 For MRE in particular, positive intraluminal contrast with either water and methylcellulose 2,17 or biphasic contrast with polyethylene glycol 4,5 is recommended with the use of the steadystate free precession sequence. [2][3][4][5][6]13,17 Negative intraluminal contrast media have also been proposed since the early 1990s but are rarely used for MRE. 18 -23 Similarly, dark lumen techniques have successfully been applied in almost The basic idea of DCT is to use the inherent opposed signal characteristics of iron oxide particles and water to demarcate the SB and LB.…”

New boundaries of liver imaging: from morphology to function

“…The main clinical applications of hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents are: 1) detection of hepatic metastases 2) differentiation of nonhepatocellular lesions from well-differentiated hepatocellular lesions; 3) diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia with a higher degree of confidence and discrimination from hepatic adenoma; 4) to provide contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography for anatomic and functional assessment of the biliary tree [17,[24][25][26].…”

Contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography using mangafodipir compared with standard T2W MRC sequences: A pictorial essay

“…CE‐MRC following the intravenous administration of liver‐specific MR contrast agents has also been reported with gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd‐BOPTA) (12, 13) and gadoxetic acid disodium (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA) (14, 15), in addition to mangafodipir (4–12, 16–18). Work at our institution comparing the use of mangafodipir and gadobenate dimeglumine for CE‐MRC (12) found that mangafodipir was superior to gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd‐BOPTA) and took less time.…”