MANGANESE DIPYRIDOXAL DIPHOSPHATE (MNDPDP ) - A NEW CONTRAST-MEDIUM FOR MRT OF BENIGN AND MALIGNANT PANCREATIC TUMORS - EARLY CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE

MnDPDP ist a new intracellular contrast medium of which 50 % is excret ed through the bile; its acceptability and effect on MR images was stu died in 21 patients, 18 of whom had malignant and three benign tumours of the pancreas. Spin echo T1 images (SE-T1: TR = 500 ms; TE = 15 ms) showed a 20 % increase in signal to noise ratio (S / N) (p = 0.059) a nd a 90 % increase in contrast to noise ratio (C/N) (p = 0.0027). In g radient T1 images (GE-T1: TR = 100 ms; TE = 6 ms; flip angle = 70-degr ees) there was an increase of S/N of 70% (p < 0.0001) and of the C/N o f 200% (p < 0.0001). T2 weighted SE sequences were inferior to plain S E-T1 weighted sequences with regard to their S/N and C/N ratios. There were no significant clinical complications or biochemical changes in the blood or urine. A subjective side effect in three patients was a f eeling of heat. MnDPDP is a well tolerated and effective contrast medi um for MRT of pancreatic tumours.