Gd-DTPA: a bowel contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen

Forty patients with suspected pathology in the abdomen and pelvis have been investigated with MRI before and after administration of Gd-DTPA as an oral or rectal resolution. The findings are analysed with respect to (a) filling of the GI tract; (b) contrast in the region of interest, surrounding fat and vessels; (c) diagnostic yield in comparison to non-enhanced MRI and contrast CT. At a concentration of 1 mmol/l Gd-DTPA provided consistent positive contrast in the stomach achieved complete filling of the GI tract. The opacification in the region of interest was good or satisfactory in 90% of cases. The diagnostic value of contrast MRI was better in 93% of cases than the non-enhanced MRI of the abdomen. In comparison with contrast CT, the contrast MRI was better or of the same value in 92% of cases. Despite the disadvantages of poor fat-to-bowel contrast (35% of cases were classified as poor), it is concluded that Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI provides good delineation of organs adjacent to the bowels so this contrast agent has potential for a future role in abdominal MRI.Correspondence to: L. Vlahos