Gd-EOB-DTPA as a functional MR cholangiography contrast agent: imaging gallbladder filling in patients with and without hepatobiliary dysfunction.

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.