Effects of paramagnetic contrast agents on the gallbladder volume.

PURPOSE Iodinated contrast agents lead to contraction of the gallbladder. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate whether the paramagnetic contrast agents used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cause volume changes in gallbladder or not. MATERIALS AND METHODS The gallbladder volume changes were evaluated by ultrasound just before and 15 minutes after the imaging procedure in 10 patients without any paramagnetic contrast agent administration and 36 patients in whom paramagnetic contrast agents were administered during MRI. Gallbladder volume measurements before and 15 minutes after MRI were compared with each other. RESULTS The mean pre- and post-procedural gallbladder volumes in patients on paramagnetic contrast agents were 30.2 +/- 19.3 cm(3) and 27.8 +/- 13.5 cm(3), respectively. They were 31.8 +/- 15.0 cm(3) and 29.5 +/- 9.3 cm(3), respectively, in patients who were not administered any paramagnetic contrast agent. There were no statistically significant difference between groups, regarding pre- and post-MRI gallbladder volumes. CONCLUSION MRI, with or without paramagnetic contrast agents, does not lead to gallbladder volume contraction. In that regard, there appears to be no need to avoid ultrasound aimed to evaluate the gallbladder after MRI examinations.