J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2012 Apr;54(4):454-62.
 
Targeted MRI contrast agents for pediatric hepatobiliary disease.
Courtier JL, Perito ER, Rhee S, Tsai P, Heyman MB, MacKenzie JD.
Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, University of California-San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
 
Abstract
 
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.