Meglumine gadoterate: a new safe radiocontrast medium for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

The radiocontrast substance meglumine gadoterate (MG) is used in magnetic resonance imaging. It is characterized by its low rate of adverse drug reactions. In an open study we tested whether MG is useful in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The patients received in sequence MG and ioxotalamate. MG, in contrast to ioxotalamate, failed to visualize the proximal pancreatic and peripheral intrahepatic ducts. Thus, MG is not useful in routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. However, in patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to conventional contrast media, MG may be recommended when pathological findings of the extrahepatic bile duct or the area of the pancreatic head are suspected.