MR imaging assessment of experimental hepatic dysfunction with Mn-DPDP.

Abstract

Manganese (II) N,N'-dipyridoxylethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate 5,5'-bis(phosphate) (DPDP) is a paramagnetic magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent that enhances the liver and is predominantly excreted through the biliary tree. The authors evaluated its utility in diffuse liver disease by assessing liver and gallbladder enhancement in 24 rabbits. Total (n = 6) or segmental (n = 6) biliary occlusion or galactosamine-induced hepatitis (n = 6) was induced 3 days before imaging. Six rabbits served as normal controls. T1- and T2-weighted axial MR images were acquired at baseline, followed by T1-weighted images every 10 minutes for 1 hour after the intravenous administration of 20 mumol/kg Mn-DPDP. Except for the segmental occlusion group, the baseline study did not allow distinction between normal and abnormal livers. The temporal hepatic enhancement pattern was statistically different for each group. The normal, segmental occlusion, and hepatitis groups showed patterns similar to one another but markedly higher signal intensity than the total-occlusion group throughout the observation period. In contrast, the gallbladder showed a greater difference in both degree of enhancement and time to peak enhancement among the four groups. Mn-DPDP produces a temporal hepatic enhancement pattern that allows recognition of markedly impaired livers, and gallbladder enhancement patterns that allow distinction of more subtly impaired livers.