MR hepatobiliary imaging

This paper presents a study to determine the safety, tolerance, pharmacokinetics, and MR imaging contrast enhancement ability of Mn(DPDP) in healthy men. Saline or 3--25 μmol/kg Mn(DPDP) was administered intravenously to 54 subjects. Twelve subjects, receiving 3, 10, or 15 μmol/kg, were imaged for 30 minutes postinjection, at 1--5-minute intervals. Transaxial abdominal scans were obtained at 1.5 T in a single breathhold interval of 17 seconds by use of a spin-echo, SAT pulse sequence (TR = 150 msec, TE = 20 msec). This method produced images satisfactory for quantitative kinetic analysis. Intravenous injection of Mn(DPDP) at all dosages produced transient increases in blood pressure and pulse that were within the normal range, facial flushing, and a transient sensation of warmth. Dosages above 15 μmol/kg produced nausea; 25 μmol/kg produced vomiting. Liver parenchyma enhanced 1--2 minutes after injection and lasted for the 30-minute postinjection observation. Clearance into the gall-bladder was visualized in 15 minutes. Enhancement was dosage-dependent with a 75%--100% signal enhancement of liver at 10 μmol/kg