Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine whether contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography using IV mangafodipir trisodium can accurately detect the presence and location of bile duct leaks in patients who have undergone cholecystectomy.
Subjects and methods: Our study group included 11 patients with suspected bile duct leaks after cholecystectomy. Axial single-shot fast spin-echo and gradient-echo images were acquired in all patients before and 1-2 hr after IV administration of mangafodipir trisodium. The contrast-enhanced MR cholangiograms were evaluated for image quality, degree of ductal or small bowel opacification, and the presence and location of bile duct leaks, strictures, and stones. MR cholangiograms were correlated with conventional contrast-enhanced cholangiograms obtained in all patients, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (n = 10) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (n = 1).
Results: Excretion of mangafodipir trisodium was noted in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts in all patients from 1 to 2 hr after IV administration. Bile ducts and fluid collections that contained excreted mangafodipir trisodium showed increased signal intensity on gradient-echo sequences and decreased signal intensity on single-shot fast spin-echo sequences. Conventional contrast-enhanced cholangiography showed the presence of bile duct leaks in six patients and the absence of bile duct leaks in five patients, with false-negative findings in one patient and false-positive findings in one patient for bile duct leak (sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 83%).
Conclusion: Contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography with IV mangafodipir trisodium can successfully detect the presence and location of bile duct leaks in patients suspected of having such leaks after undergoing cholecystectomy. More research is necessary before acceptance of this examination as routine in the workup of these patients.