Potential Conditions Causing Impairment of Selective Hepatobiliary Enhancement of Gadobenate Dimeglumine-Enhanced Delayed Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective: To identify conditions that might impair the delayed selective hepatobiliary enhancement of gadobenate dimeglumine. Materials and Methods: Ninety-five gadobenate-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging studies were retrospectively and independently analyzed. The effects of selective hepatic enhancement and biliary excretion were each categorized into 3 grades according to the perceived difference of signal intensity between the liver parenchyma and portal vein, and signal intensity in the common bile duct of precontrast- and delayed-phase images. History of diffuse liver disease, liver cirrhosis, and renal disease; elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (Cr), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); ascites; and splenomegaly were compared according to the grade of hepatic and biliary enhancement. Results: Diffuse liver disease (P = 0.002); cirrhosis (P < 0.001); renal disease (P = 0.022); ascites (P 0.001); splenomegaly (P < 0.001); and elevated levels of BUN (P 0.001), Cr (P = 0.003), AST (P < 0.001), bilirubin (P < 0.001), and ALP (P < 0.001) were factors that impaired selective hepatic enhancement. Biliary excretion was affected by the presence of liver disease (P < 0.001), cirrhosis (P < 0.001), splenomegaly (P < 0.001), ascites (P = 0.002), and elevated levels of Cr (P = 0.013), AST (<0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.001), bilirubin (P < 0.001), and ALP (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Delayed selective hepatobiliary enhancement of gadobenate dimeglumine can be impaired by liver or renal disease and/or by elevated levels of bilirubin, ALP, BUN, and Cr.