Clinical hepatic imaging with paramagnetic positive enhancers

At the present time, there are two types of paramagnetic positive enhancers for hepatic imaging in the United States. One is gadolinium (DTPA) and nonionic forms, and the other is manganese DPDP. Gadolinium derivitives cause the liver to become hyperintense relative to tumors. However, the signal intensity may vary with time. Mn‐DPDP causes the liver to be positively enhanced while tumors are negative defects, thus contrasted against the hyperintense background. Both agents have advantages and drawback. During the past 4 years, we have had the opportunity to evaluate both agent. The following will be a clinical summation of our experience with these two compounds. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.