Open AccessTargeted MRI Contrast Agents for Pediatric Hepatobiliary Disease
Author(s) -
Courtier Jesse L.,
Perito Emily R.,
Rhee Sue,
Tsai Patrika,
Heyman Melvin B.,
MacKenzie John D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.206
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0b013e3182467a4b
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , radiology , context (archaeology) , liver disease , hepatobiliary disease , contrast (vision) , artificial intelligence , computer science , paleontology , biology
New options are available for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of pediatric hepatobiliary disease. This article describes the potential utility for MRI with contrast agents tailored for hepatobiliary imaging. MRI contrast agents that preferentially target the liver may be helpful in characterizing liver masses and bile duct abnormalities in select children. The imaging approach is noninvasive and relatively rapid to perform. It also provides anatomic and functional information and is a radiation‐free alternative to other imaging strategies. This relatively new imaging procedure is placed in the context of more established imaging modalities. The pharmacokinetics, technical considerations, and potential applications of these hepatobiliary‐specific contrast agents also are discussed.