CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER - MR-IMAGING WITH MANGAFODIPIR TRISODIUM (MN-DPDP)

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of manganese (II) N, N'-dipyridoxy lethylenediamine-N, N'-diacetate 5,5'-bis(phosphate) (Mn-DPDP) in magn etic resonance (MR) imaging of cirrhotic livers. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Fifty-eight patients (mean age, 58.8 years), 29 with and 29 without cirrhosis, underwent MR imaging before and after intravenous administr ation of 5 mu mol/kg Mn-DPDP. Enhancement effects were assessed quanti tatively and qualitatively. Histologic confirmation was obtained in 51 patients. RESULTS: Liver parenchyma in both patient groups enhanced s ignificantly on T1-weighted spin-echo and gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) images (P < .01). However, cirrhotic livers enhanced significantly le ss than noncirrhotic livers on T1-weighted GRE images (P <.05). Fourte en cirrhotic livers had heterogeneous enhancement of parenchyma; enhan cement was more prominent on GRE images. Decreased enhancement was see n in patients with confluent fibrosis (n = 5), diffuse fibrosis (n = 6 ), and siderotic regenerating nodules (n = 4). Increased enhancement w as seen in patients with benign regenerating nodules (n = 4). CONCLUSI ON: Mn-DPDP is useful in patients with cirrhosis.