Hepatobiliary transit times of gadoxetate disodium (Primovist®) for protocol optimization of comprehensive MR imaging of the biliary system—What is normal?

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine transit times for excretion of Gd-EOB-DTPA into different segments of the hepatobiliary system in patients with normal liver function.MethodsThis retrospective study was IRB approved with a waiver of consent granted. 61 patients (39 female, 22 male, mean age 52.5 years) with normal liver and renal function who underwent contrast enhanced hepatic MRI after injection of 10 mLGd-EOB-DTPA at 1.5 T and 3 T were included. Two readers evaluated all delayed images (3–20 min post contrast) for the presence of contrast agent in the intrahepatic bile ducts (IBD), the common bile duct (CBD), the gallbladder and the duodenum. A two-tailed, unpaired Student's t-test with p < 0.05 deemed significant was used to determine whether transit times were affected by patient gender, age or body mass index.Results20 min after contrast initiation, Gd-EOB-DTPA could be detected in the IBD and the CBD in all patients (100%); gallbladder reflux was visible in 53 (86.9%), duodenal excretion in 40 patients (65.5%), respectively. Mean transit times for contrast appearance in the various segments were as follows: IBD 12 min 13 s; CBD 12 min 27 s; gallbladder 13 min 32 s. Transit times were not significantly affected by patient gender, age or BMI.ConclusionWithin 20 min post contrast initiation, Gd-EOB-DTPA can be expected in the IBD and the CBD in patients with normal liver function. However, functional information about the sphincter Oddi complex can be ascertained only in about two thirds of these patients within this timeframe.