Gadolinium Ethoxybenzyl Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Correlation between Liver Parenchyma Enhancement, Liver Function, and Biochemical Indexes

Objective: To study the correlation between gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) liver parenchyma enhancement and liver function and the choice of hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in patients with different liver functions. Data and Methods: A total of 88 patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were analyzed retrospectively. Ac-cording to Child-Pugh classifications, they were divided into Groups A, B, and C, and Group D was established for patients with normal liver function. The liver parenchyma signal intensity (SI) at 5,10,15, and 20 min (SI5min, SI10min, SI15min, and SI20min) and biliary excretion times of a c ontrast medium were obtained. Results: After contrast medium injection, the SI of Group D rose significantly within 10 min and stabilized within 10-20 min. The SI in Group A increased significantly within 15 min and stabilized after 15 min, with no significant difference identified between SI15min and SI20min (t = 0.071, p = 0.944). In Groups B and C, the degree of hepatic parenchyma enhancement exhibited no significant difference after a 5 min delay. There were significant differences in SI5min and SI10min between Groups D and A; In SI5min, SI10min, SI15min, and SI20min between Group D and Groups B and C; In SI20min between Group A and Groups B and C; And in SI15min between Groups A and C (p < 0.05). SI10min and SI20min had a negative correlation with the total bilirubin and prothrombin time and a positive correlation with serum albumin. Conclusions: Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced liver parenchyma is correlated with liver function and the corresponding biochemical indexes. A delay time of 15 min for the hepatobiliary phase was sufficient for most patients who get Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.