ENHANCEMENT OF ASCITES ON MRI FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OFGD-DTPA

Objective: The enhancement of ascites following intravenous administra tion of Gd-DTPA on MRI was investigated. Materials and Methods: Magnet ic resonance imaging was performed in 20 patients with ascites (8 peri toneal carcinomatosis, 2 tuberculous peritonitis, 8 liver cirrhosis, 1 nephrotic syndrome, 1 peritoneal adhesion), and T1-weighted SE images were obtained before and 15-20 min following intravenous administrati on of Gd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg). Results: There were 10 exudative ascites and 10 transudative ascites. Eight of 10 exudative ascites showed enha ncement, in contrast to none of 10 transudative ascites. The precontra st signal intensity ratios (SIRs) of exudative ascites were significan tly higher (p < 0.05) than those of transudative ascites, and the post contrast SIRs of exudative ascites were significantly higher (p < 0.01 ) than those of transudative ascites. This difference was thought to b e caused by increased peritoneal permeability and higher protein conce ntration in the cases with exudative ascites in this study. Conclusion : It is concluded that enhancement of ascites on MRI obtained 15-20 mi n after intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA is not an uncommon findi ng in exudative ascites (especially associated with peritoneal carcino matosis).