Shinichi Nakamura MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Kazuo Awai MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tomohiro Namimoto MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Takeshi Nakaura MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yumi Yanaga MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yasuyuki Yamashita MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Masanori Komi PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kosuke Morita, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

00030490-DMT et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To identify the optimal temporal scan window for hepatobiliary phase MRI after the intravenous administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA (Primovist, Bayer Healthcare) in patients with chronic liver damage (CLD).

We subjected 125 patients with CLD to 3D-GRE imaging (TR/TE=3.1/1.5 ms, FA 150o) on a 3T-MRI scanner (Achieva, Philips). Of these, 91-, 26, and 8 patients had Child A, B, and C liver dysfunction, respectively. Liver scans were acquired every 5 min in the course of 20 min after the intravenous administration of Primovist (25 μmol/kg body weight); the injection rate was 2.0 mL/sec. The total scan duration for each patient was 20 min. We measured liver intensity normalized by a phantom that contained normal saline and was placed next to the abdomen at each time point. Relative liver enhancement (RLE) was calculated as [liver to intensity ratio at each time] / [liver to intensity ratio on pre-contrast MRI) x 100. Using the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test we compared RLE at 5-, 10-, and 15 min after the administration of Primovist with enhancement at 20 min. We also analyzed the effect of liver function (total bilirubin value [TB], serum albumin level [Alb], and prothrombin time [PT]) on RLE at 15 min after Primovist delivery using the generalized linear model.

RLE was significantly lower at 5 and 10 min than at 20 min (p<0.01 and p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between RLE at 15- and 20 min (p=0.17). While TB was not- (p=0.29), Alb and PT were significantly correlated with RLE at 15 min (p=0.02 and p<0.01, respectively).

The optimal scan window for the hepatobiliary phase at Primovist-enhanced MRI may be 15 min post-injection in patients with chronic liver damage. In the hepatobiliary phase, Alb and PT correlated significantly with RLE at Primovist-enhanced MRI.

In patients with CLD, the optimal scan window for hepatobiliary phase imaging at Primovist-enhanced MRI may be 15 min. In patients with lower albumin or prothrombin time, RLE may be decreased.

Nakamura, S, Awai, K, Namimoto, T, Nakaura, T, Yanaga, Y, Yamashita, Y, Komi, M, Morita, K, et al, 0, Optimal Temporal Scan Window for Hepatobiliary Phase MRI of the Liver and Effect of Liver Function on Relative Liver Enhancement with Gd-EOB-DTPA on a 3-Tesla Scanner.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8010614.html