Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
Preparation and In Vitro Characterization of Dendrimer-based Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: December 4, 2016
The T2-shortening effect of gadolinium and the optimal conditions for maximizing the CNR for evaluating the biliary
Mi-Jung Lee1, Myung-Joon Kim, Choon-Sik Yoon
1Department of Radiology and the Research Institute of Radiological Science, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, Korea.
Insights
Gadolinium contrast agents shorten T2 relaxation time, enhancing bile duct imaging in neonatal cholestasis. Optimal contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for MR cholangiopancreatography is achieved with Gd-DTPA on a 1.5T MRI scanner.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Clear depiction of the common bile duct is crucial for diagnosing neonatal cholestasis, particularly differentiating biliary atresia.
- Gadolinium-based contrast agents can enhance MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) by increasing the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the bile duct through a T2-shortening effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the T2-shortening effect of gadolinium in a phantom study.
- To evaluate the impact of different gadolinium chelates, concentrations, and magnetic field strengths (1.5T and 3T) on CNR.
- To identify optimal conditions for maximum CNR in biliary system evaluation.
Main Methods:
- MR imaging with a T2-weighted single-shot fast spin echo sequence and T2 relaxometry was performed on a sponge phantom.
- Two gadolinium chelates (Gd-DTPA and Gd-EOB-DTPA) at varying concentrations were tested on 1.5T and 3T scanners.
- Signal intensities, CNRs, and T2 relaxation times were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Gadolinium concentration negatively correlated with signal intensity and T2 relaxation time (p < 0.001).
- Higher signal intensities were observed at 3T (p < 0.001), while higher CNRs were achieved at 1.5T (p < 0.001).
- Gd-EOB-DTPA showed greater CNR decrease than Gd-DTPA on 3T vs 1.5T scanners (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Gadolinium's T2-shortening effect is inversely correlated with concentration for signal intensity and T2 relaxation time.
- A higher CNR for MRCP is achievable using Gd-DTPA on a 1.5T MRI scanner.
Objective:
Clear depiction of the common bile duct is important when evaluating neonatal cholestasis in order to differentiate biliary atresia from other diseases. During MR cholangiopancreatography, the T2-shortening effect of gadolinium can increase the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the bile duct and enhance its depiction. The purpose of this study was to confirm, by performing a phantom study, the T2-shortening effect of gadolinium, to evaluate the effect of different gadolinium chelates with different gadolinium concentrations and different magnetic field strengths for investigating the optimal combination of these conditions, and for identifying the maximum CNR for the evaluation of the biliary system.
Materials And Methods:
MR imaging using a T2-weighted single-shot fast spin echo sequence and T2 relaxometry was performed with a sponge phantom in a syringe tube. Two kinds of contrast agents (Gd-DTPA and Gd-EOB-DTPA) with different gadolinium concentrations were evaluated with 1.5T and 3T scanners. The signal intensities, the CNRs and the T2 relaxation time were analyzed.
Results:
The signal intensities significantly decreased as the gadolinium concentrations increased (p < 0.001) with both contrast agents. These signal intensities were higher on a 3T (p < 0.001) scanner. The CNRs were higher on a 1.5T (p < 0.001) scanner and they showed no significant change with different gadolinium concentrations. The T2 relaxation time also showed a negative correlation with the gadolinium concentrations (p < 0.001) and the CNRs showed decrease more with Gd-EOB-DTPA (versus Gd-DTPA; p < 0.001) on a 3T scanner (versus 1.5T; p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
A T2-shortening effect of gadolinium exhibits a negative correlation with the gadolinium concentration for both the signal intensities and the T2 relaxation time. A higher CNR can be obtained with Gd-DTPA on a 1.5T MRI scanner.
More Related Videos
08:41Novel In Vivo Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging Techniques for Assessing the Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Published on: March 24, 2023
06:29Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
01:25Imaging Studies II: Positron Emission Tomography and Scintigraphy
Fundamental Principles of PET
01:27Imaging Studies III: Computed Tomography
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI