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Perfluoroctylbromide as a gastrointestinal contrast agent for MR imaging: use with and without glucagon
J J Brown1, J R Duncan, J P Heiken
1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University Medical Center, St. Louis, MO 63110.
Abstract:
The utility of perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) as a gastrointestinal contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was evaluated with MR examinations performed in 30 subjects (16 healthy volunteers and 14 patients). Transaxial T1-, proton density-, and T2-weighted MR images were acquired in each subject before and after the administration of PFOB. The healthy volunteers each underwent two sets of post-PFOB MR examinations, one before and one after glucagon administration. The degree of bowel marking, clarity of bowel-wall visualization, ability to distinguish bowel from adjacent parenchymal organs, and severity of phase-encoding artifacts were independently analyzed by two reviewers. Oral administration of PFOB significantly (P less than .001) increased the percentage of bowel loops with low signal intensity. Subcutaneous administration of glucagon significantly (P less than .001) increased the clarity of bowel-wall visualization on post-PFOB MR studies. The severity of phase-encoding artifacts did not change substantially after administration of PFOB or glucagon.
Insights
Perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) enhances gastrointestinal contrast for MR imaging, improving bowel visualization. Glucagon further clarifies bowel walls, aiding diagnostic accuracy in MR studies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging requires effective gastrointestinal contrast agents.
- Perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) is a potential agent for MR imaging of the GI tract.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) as a gastrointestinal contrast agent for MR imaging.
- To assess the impact of glucagon on PFOB-enhanced MR imaging of the bowel.
Main Methods:
- MR examinations were performed on 30 subjects (16 healthy volunteers, 14 patients).
- T1-, proton density-, and T2-weighted MR images were acquired before and after PFOB administration.
- Healthy volunteers received glucagon to assess its effect on post-PFOB imaging.
Main Results:
- Oral PFOB significantly increased the percentage of bowel loops with low signal intensity (P < .001).
- Subcutaneous glucagon significantly improved bowel-wall visualization clarity (P < .001).
- PFOB and glucagon did not substantially alter phase-encoding artifacts.
Conclusions:
- Perfluoroctylbromide (PFOB) is an effective gastrointestinal contrast agent for MR imaging.
- Glucagon administration enhances bowel-wall visualization in PFOB-enhanced MR studies.
- PFOB shows promise for improving MR imaging of the gastrointestinal tract.