Magnetic resonance imaging of the biliary system - technical and clinical aspects of the acquisition and visualization

A project that aims at developing new methods to visualize the biliary system by combining specific contrast agents and modern visualization techniques.

• Staff:

Örjan Smedby , Prof.		Project manager, supervisor		IMV Radiology
Nils Dahlström , doctoral student				IMV Radiology
Anders Persson , Med Dr				IMV Radiology
Torkel Brismar , Docent		co-supervisor		KI Huddinge Radiology
Nils Albiin , Docent				KI Huddinge Radiology
Anders Ynnerman , Prof.		co-supervisor		ITN VITA

• Former Staff:

• Project Description:

MRI of the biliary system is at present usually done with heavily T2-weighted sequences depicting the biliary ducts as bright on dark background (MRCP). Usually simple rendering techniques (MIP) are used to display these images. Recently, MRI contrast agents enhancing bile have been introduced, enabling breath-held acquisition and evaluation of liver function.

The main goal of this project is to develop and evaluate techniques for MRI acquisition and visualization of the biliary system.

Two studies make comparative evaluations of two clinically available contrast agents for biliary duct imaging and associated vessel imaging, respectively. The potential of using new visualization techniques to present the biliary system will be investigated. Using fast imaging without contrast agents, but presented with suitable novel rendering algorithms, is an approach that will be tried and compared with contrast agents. Correlations with ultrasound imaging will also be included.

PUBLICATIONS
Dahlström N, Persson A,  Albiin N, Smedby Ö, Brismar TB.  Contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography with Gd-BOPTA and Gd-EOB-DTPA in healthy subjects. Acta Radiol. 2007;48(4):362-368.

Dahlström N, Brismar TB, Persson A, Albiin N, Smedby Ö. Biliary Enhancement of Gd-BOPTA (MultiHance®) and Gd-EOB-DTPA (Primovist®) - a Study in Healthy Volunteers. ISMRM 2006 (Abstract 2198).


Brismar TB, Dahlström N, Smedby Ö, Persson A, Albiin N. Liver vessel enhancement of Gd-BOPTA and Gd-EOB-DTPA. ISMRM 2006 (Abstract 2201).