Bile-tagged 3d magnetic resonance colonography after exclusive intravenous administration of gadobenate dimeglumine, a contrast agent with partial hepatobiliary excretion.

Rationale and Objectives: Imaging of the colon is an important diagnostic procedure. Endoscopic colonoscopy and x-ray barium enemas are currently the standard diagnostic procedures. Magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomographic colonography have been recently introduced with true three-dimensional (3D) cross-sectional imaging. Up to now, all imaging techniques have required the use of oral and/or aboral contrast agents for luminal enhancement and commonly, a relaxation medication (glucagon or N-butylscopolamine). While performing several phase I, II, and III studies with a new partially hepatobiliary excreted gadolinium-based MR contrast agent, we noted substantial intraluminal enhancement within the colon and investigated its potential for imaging.
Methods: Three-dimensional MR angiographic techniques enable imaging of large volumes. We have used these sequences to detect contrast enhancement within the hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal systems. A 3D volume of 40 x 32 x 12 cm with 42 images was acquired under breath-hold. Six volunteers were studied according to the protocol. No bowel preparation was performed and no medication given. Subsequent follow-ups of the abdomen were performed at 1, 12, 24, 36, 48, 70, and 105 hours postinjection. Gadobenate dimeglumine at 0.1 mmol/kg body weight was given intravenously. Images were assessed quantitatively and by blinded reader analysis.
Results: Intense intraluminal contrast enhancement within the colon was seen within 24 hours in all subjects. The homogeneous enhancement was of sufficient intensity to enable 3D visualization and virtual endoscopy. The optimal time window for imaging was determined to be 16 to 50 hours postinjection.
Conclusions: We report for the first time the feasibility of exclusively bile-tagged MR colonography with the use of only an intravenous MR contrast that exhibits partial hepatobiliary excretion. This new diagnostic procedure will enable not only morphological assessment of the colon but also functional and pathophysiological studies on the transport kinetics of bile and stool without any preparation of the patient.