Comparison between T2-weighted MR and contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography in the evalutian of biliary anatomy in liver transplant donor candidates

Abstract

Objective To compare conventional T2-weighted MR cholangiography (T2WI-MRC) with gadobenate dimeglumine enhanced T1-weighted MR cholangiography(CE-MRC) for evalution of biliary anatomy in liver transplant donor candidates. Methods Thirty-two healthy liver transplant donor candidates were examined with two MR cholangiogaphic methods. For T2WI-MRC, a three-dimensional turbo spin-echo sequence and oblique coronal heavily T2-weighted thick-slab turbo spin-echo imaging sequence were performed. For CE-MRC, three-dimensional fat-suppressed spoiled gradient-echo sequences were performed, with a time delay of 60 minutes following the administration of gadobenate dimeglumine. To compare the depiction of biliary duct anatomy and the artifact caused by intestinal liquid and breathing between the two methods. Intraoperative cholangiography was the reference-standard examination. Results The both methods depicted the biliary anatomy correctly in all 9 cases. The both methods showed the third branches of intrahepatic biliary duct clearly. T2WI-MRC showed interhepatic bihary duct before the third branches in 28 cases (87.5%), CE-MRC showed the same finding in 14 cases (43.8% ). T2WI-MRC showed common bile ducts intermitantly in 2 cases, which were normal in CE-MRC and intraoperative cholangiography. Intestinal liquid affected the image quality of biliary duct in 6 cases (18.8%) performed with T2WI-MRC, but none with CE-MRC. The artifacts caused by breathing were not obvious in the either method. Conclusion T2WI-MRC and CE-MRC both can be used to evaluate bihary anatomy of liver transplant donor candidates, but CE-MRC appears to be more accurate than T2WI-MRC. Key words: Liver transplantation; Contrast media; Magnetic resonance imaging; Comparative study