Functional magnetic resonance cholangiography with Gd-EOB-DTPA: a study in healthy volunteers

Correlation Among 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography, Intraoperative Cholangiography, and Intraoperative Findings in Right Liver Donors

OBJECTIVES

A correct preoperative definition of the hepatic duct confluence anatomy of right liver living donors is pivotal in determining their candidacy for donation and planning surgery during liver transplant. Here, we evaluated the accuracy of 3-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiography compared with intraoperative cholangiography in assessing biliary anatomy and aimed to identify imaging characteristics that may help to predict the yield of hepatic duct orifices in the right liver graft.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All consecutive living hepa-tectomy donors for adult liver transplant included in this study (N = 110) were evaluated with preoperative 3-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiography, which was performed before and after intravenous administration of gadolinium (20-40 cm³). For intraoperative cholangiography, a 4F catheter was advanced through the cystic duct, and contrast matter (5-10 mL) was injected into the biliary tree via the catheter. The number of right hepatic ducts in explanted graft was determined on the back table.

RESULTS

Of 110 donors, 71 had type 1 (normal) biliary anatomy based on both 3-dimensional magnetic resonance and intraoperative cholangiography and 39 had abnormal biliary anatomy, with 2 having type 3 (abnormal) biliary anatomy. Normal biliary anatomy was found in back-table examination, and abnormal biliary anatomy (type 2) was found with intraoperative cholangiography. Sensitivity, specificity, and predic-tive values of 3-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiography in revealing the biliary anatomy and anomalies were compared with intraoperative cholangiography findings. Observed final hepatic duct outcomes were also assessed. Use of 3-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiography accurately predicted the biliary anatomy in 97 of 110 cases. Sensitivity was 80.4%, positive predictive value was 94.4%, specificity was 96.9%, and negative predictive value was 87.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Three-dimensional magnetic resonance cholangiography reliably represented normal biliary anatomy; the presence of anatomic variations decreased its sensitivity, making intraoperative cholangiography or duct probing necessary tools to accurately perform right hepatic duct transection.

Hepatocyte-specific contrast agent-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography: perioperative evaluation of the biliary tree

A large number of gadolinium chelates have recently been tested in clinical trials. Some of those have already been approved for clinical use in the United States and Europe. Thus, new diagnostic perspectives have been incorporated into magnetic resonance imaging studies. Among such gadolinium chelates are hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents (HSCAs), which, due to their property of being selectively taken up by hepatocytes and excreted by the biliary ducts, have been widely used for the detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions. In comparison with conventional magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC), HSCA-enhanced MRC provides additional information, with higher spatial resolution and better anatomic evaluation of a non-dilated biliary tree. A thorough anatomic assessment of the biliary tree is crucial in various hepatic surgical procedures, such as complex resection in patients with colorectal cancer and living-donor liver transplantation. However, the use of HSCA-enhanced MRC is still limited, because of a lack of data in the literature and the poor familiarity of radiologists regarding its main indications. This pictorial essay aims to demonstrate the use of HSCA-enhanced MRC, with particular emphasis on anatomical analysis of the biliary tree, clinical applications, and the most important imaging findings.

Correlation Between Bile Reflux Gastritis and Biliary Excreted Contrast Media in the Stomach

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between biliary excreted contrast media in the stomach and the presence of bile reflux gastritis.

METHODS

Consecutive 111 patients who underwent both gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (gadoxetic MRC) and gastric endoscopy were included in this study. We performed a review of the gadoxetic-MRC image sets acquired 60 minutes after intravenous injection of contrast media and endoscopic images. We recorded amount of contrast media in the stomach. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of duodenogastric bile reflux diagnosis were evaluated for the gadoxetic MRC. Statistical analysis was performed using the Fisher exact test and the linear-by-linear association test.

RESULTS

Among the 111 patients, 39 had 60-minute delayed images showing the presence of contrast media in the stomach. Of these 39 patients, 13 had bile reflux gastritis and 5 showed bile in the stomach without evidence of erythematous gastritis. Of the 72 patients who did not show contrast media in the stomach, none had bile reflux gastritis and 2 patients showed bile staining in the stomach without evidence of erythematous gastritis. Bile reflux gastritis was significantly more frequent in patients with contrast media in the stomach on gadoxetic MRC than in those without. Patients with high-grade extension of contrast media in the stomach had significantly frequent bile reflux gastritis than did those with low-grade extension.

CONCLUSION

Biliary excreted contrast media in the stomach on 60-minute delayed gadoxetic MRC has a correlation with the presence of bile reflux gastritis on endoscopic examination.