Enhancing contrast of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with liver cirrhosis: Conveyance times of primovist in hepatobiliary system

Purpose: To determine transit times for excretion of gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), a recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent, in hepatobiliary system of patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: Liver cirrhosis patients that underwent contrast MRI examination at Renai Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan were included. The patients who have experienced contrast-enhanced abdominal MR examination after injection of 10 mL Gd-EOB-DTPA at 1.5-T MR from December 2009 to March 2011, were included retrospectively. The images were evaluated for the presence of contrast agent in intra-hepatic bile ducts (IHD), common bile duct (CBD), gall bladder and duodenum. Results: The optimal time for arterial phase was from 15 s after injection while the optimal time for portal venous imaging was from 40 s after injection. Furthermore, the optimal time to observe changes was 20 min after contrast initiation of Gd-EOB-DTPA in 39 patients (83 %) in IHD and 37 patients (78.5 %) in CBD. Gall bladder reflux was visible in 26 patients (43 %), and duodenal excretion in 17 patients (36 %). After 30 min of contrast injection, Gd-EOB-DTPA could still be detected in 6 patients (13 %) in IHD and 7 patients (15 %) in CBD, while gall bladder reflux was visible in 10 patients (21 %), and duodenal excretion in 20 patients (55 %). Conclusion: The excretion of Gd-EOB-DTPA can be observed in liver cirrhosis patients.