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Contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography with Gd-EOB-DTPA in patients with liver cirrhosis: visualization of the biliary ducts in comparison with patients with normal liver parenchyma

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the quality of biliary duct visualization using Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (EOB-MRC) in patients with liver cirrhosis. Forty adult patients with liver cirrhosis (cirrhosis group) and 20 adult individuals with normal liver parenchyma (control group) underwent EOB-MRC using T1-weighted GRE imaging up to 180 min after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration. Two observers assessed the visualization of each biliary structure and the overall anatomical visualization of the biliary tree. Child-Pugh, MELD score and laboratory findings were compared. The grade of visualization for each evaluated biliary structure was statistically different in the two groups (P = 0.004 to <0.001). The overall EOB-MRC quality was rated as sufficient for anatomical visualization of the biliary tree in all individuals of the control group 20 min after Gd-EOB-DTPA application, but in only 16/40 patients (40%) of the cirrhosis group within 30 min after application. Analysis of the ROC curves revealed that the cut-off values, for non-sufficient visualization of the biliary tree 20 min after Gd-EOB-DTPA application, were MELD scores ≥11 and total serum bilirubin levels ≥30 μmol/l. Consecutively, EOB-MRC in patients with liver cirrhosis resulted in a decreased or even non-visualization of the biliary tree in a substantial percentage of patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland

    Frank T. C. Tschirch, Anja Struwe, Irini Kakales, Borut Marincek & Dominik Weishaupt

  2. Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland

    Henrik Petrowsky

  3. Institute of Radiology, Hospital Zimmerberg, Asylstrasse 19, 8810, Horgen, Switzerland

    Frank T. C. Tschirch

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  1. Frank T. C. Tschirch
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  2. Anja Struwe
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  3. Henrik Petrowsky
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  4. Irini Kakales
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  6. Dominik Weishaupt
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Correspondence to Frank T. C. Tschirch.

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Tschirch, F.T.C., Struwe, A., Petrowsky, H. et al. Contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography with Gd-EOB-DTPA in patients with liver cirrhosis: visualization of the biliary ducts in comparison with patients with normal liver parenchyma. Eur Radiol 18, 1577–1586 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0929-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0929-6

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