[Oral contrast media for the magnetic resonance tomography of the abdomen. A clinical trial of the tolerance for gadolinium-DTPA].

Safety and efficacy of gadopentetate-dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) as a MR bowel contrast agent were determined in 133 patients with CT-proved abdominal and retroperitoneal mass lesions using a buffered formulation (1 mmol/l Gd-DTPA, 15 g/l mannitol, 25 mmol/l sodium-citrate, 6-17 ml/kg). Short-lived gastrointestinal side effects were noted in 32% of patients. Gd-DTPA provided uniform, hyperintense bowel labelling and contrast enhancement in the region of interest in 81% of patients. Among 78 patients with pre- and postcontrast images lesion delineation was improved in 62%. In 55 studies with postcontrast images only, Gd-DTPA proved useful in 65%. In 105 of 109 cases IV injection of scopolamine or glucagon eliminated image artifacts arising from peristalsis of opacified bowel. The authors conclude that Gd-DTPA is a safe and effective MR bowel contrast agent.