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Contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography (MRCP) with GD-EOB-DTPA in evaluating biliary complications after surgery
L Salvolini1, C Urbinati, G Valeri
1Radiologia Clinica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Conca 71, Torrette di Ancona, 60126, Ancona, Italy. lucasalvolini@alice.it
Purpose:
We assessed the usefulness of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (CE-MRC) with liver-specific contrast agent in evaluating the biliary tree after hepatic surgery.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 142 patients with suspected biliary complications after liver surgery underwent hepatobiliary MR before and after administration of gadolinium ethoxy benzylic diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA). Unenhanced MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and postcontrast MRC were obtained in all patients. Blinded image evaluation and semiquantitative analysis comparing MRCP and CE-MRC were performed by two experienced radiologists.
Results:
In all cases, optimal postcontrast visualisation of the biliary tract was obtained. In 22 patients, a postsurgical biliary complication was confirmed. MRCP detected 64% of lesions, but in 36% of cases, an alteration was only suspected but not clearly defined. CE-MRC allowed definite diagnosis in 100% of cases.
Conclusions:
Hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents allow for accurate and extensive study of biliary tract alterations, especially in assessing postsurgical complications.
