Andrew Dennis Smith1, Joseph C Veniero. 1. Body Imaging Section, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA. smithmdphd@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cystic duct patency on hepatobiliary-phase magnetic resonance (MR) images after intravenous gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) administration. METHODS: A radiology information system search identified patients with gallbladders that had MR imaging after intravenous Gd-EOB-DTPA injection. No patients had acute cholecystitis. Magnetic resonance image findings were correlated with clinical notes, other imaging studies, time of contrast injection, and serum laboratory tests. RESULTS: Contrast accumulated in the gallbladder in 80% of patients (n = 100) with hepatobiliary-phase MR imaging at a median of 22 minutes (range, 15-83 minutes). Absence of contrast accumulation in the gallbladder (n = 20) was associated with hepatobiliary imaging less than 30 minutes after contrast administration, gallbladder contraction, cholelithiasis, elevated liver function tests, elevated bilirubin, and cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Functional assessment of cystic duct patency by Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MR is best conducted when hepatobiliary-phase T1-weighted imaging is delayed by more than 30 minutes after contrast injection. Hepatobiliary dysfunction is associated with nonfilling of the gallbladder.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cystic duct patency on hepatobiliary-phase magnetic resonance (MR) images after intravenous gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) administration. METHODS: A radiology information system search identified patients with gallbladders that had MR imaging after intravenous Gd-EOB-DTPA injection. No patients had acute cholecystitis. Magnetic resonance image findings were correlated with clinical notes, other imaging studies, time of contrast injection, and serum laboratory tests. RESULTS: Contrast accumulated in the gallbladder in 80% of patients (n = 100) with hepatobiliary-phase MR imaging at a median of 22 minutes (range, 15-83 minutes). Absence of contrast accumulation in the gallbladder (n = 20) was associated with hepatobiliary imaging less than 30 minutes after contrast administration, gallbladder contraction, cholelithiasis, elevated liver function tests, elevated bilirubin, and cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Functional assessment of cystic duct patency by Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver MR is best conducted when hepatobiliary-phase T1-weighted imaging is delayed by more than 30 minutes after contrast injection. Hepatobiliary dysfunction is associated with nonfilling of the gallbladder.