Half-dose gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging in patients at risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Issue 3 (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Kyoung Doo; Kim, Seong Hyun; Lee, Jisun; Kang, Kyung A.; Kim, Joungyoun; Yoo, Heejin
• Is Part Of: European journal of radiology. Volume 84:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 378
• Page End: 383
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Gadoxetic acid -- Magnetic resonance imaging -- Half dose -- Qualitative -- Quantitative; Medical radiology -- Periodicals; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiologie médicale -- Périodiques; Medical radiology; Periodicals; 616.075705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.12.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0720-048X

Abstract

Highlights: Half dose of gadoxetic acid achieved more than 75% enhancement degree of a standard dose. No significant difference was observed in enhancement quality between half-dose and standard-dose MRIs for all upper abdominal organs. Liver MRI using half-dose gadoxetic acid at 3-T can be a feasible alternative for standard-dose MRI in patients at risk for NSF. Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of half-dose gadoxetic acid (0.0125 mmol/kg) for liver MRI at 3-T compared to standard-dose (0.025 mmol/kg) in patients at risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). Materials and methods: Forty patients who underwent both half-dose and standard-dose gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRIs were included. Contrast enhancement index (CEI) was calculated for liver, aorta, pancreas and kidney. Two observers independently rated and performed a one-to-one direct comparison of enhancement quality for both groups. Results: Liver CEIs were not significantly different on arterial phase between the two groups but CEIs of standard-dose MRIs were greater than half-dose MRIs on other phases ( P < 0.001). CEIs were not significantly different on arterial phase for the aorta or on any phases for the pancreas. Kidney CEIs of standard-dose MRIs were greater than half-dose MRIs on all phases ( P < 0.05). Enhancement quality of both groups was diagnostic and did not significantly differ for any organs. In one-to-one direct comparisons of enhancement quality, equal ratings were given in 87.5% (35/40) of cases by observer 1 and 85.0% (34/40) by observer 2. Conclusion: Liver MRI using half-dose gadoxetic acid at 3-T can be a feasible alternative for standard-dose MRI in patients at risk for NSF.