Gadolinium-phthalein complexone as a contrast agent for hepatobiliary MR imaging

Gadolinium-phthalein complexone (Gd-PC) was developed as a hepatobiliary magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent. Phthalein complexone is one of the iminodiacetic acid derivatives and a structural analogue of bromosulfophthalein. Gadolinium-PC substantially enhanced signal intensity of normal functioning livers on T1-weighted MR images. Contrast enhancement of rabbit liver and gradual accumulation of high intensity bile in the gallbladder were observed after intravenous injection of 0.05 and 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-PC. However, 0.1 mmol/kg of Gd-DTPA caused little effect on liver MR.