Evaluation of Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake in a perfused and isolated mouse liver model: correlation between magnetic resonance imaging and monochromatic quantitative computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to quantitatively evaluate the pharmacokinetic pattern of Gd-EOB-DTPA in a model of isolated and perfused mouse liver by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and monochromatic quantitative computed tomography (MQCT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: For MQCT, perfusions were realized with the gallbladder spared; for MRI, with gallbladder spared, severed, or clamped. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) was performed at the end of the imaging protocols.
RESULTS: MQCT, MRI, and ICP showed that perfused mice livers with spared gallbladder can be divided in 2 groups depending on their uptake profile of the contrast agent. Livers with severed gallbladders behave as the group internalizing more contrast agent, whereas Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake looks impaired in the case of a clamped gallbladder.
CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, MQCT and MRI have been performed in parallel to investigate the same physiological problem. The existence of 2 liver groups seems to be the result of some instability of the protocol likely to be related to surgery.