Dynamic Sincalide (Cholecystokinin)-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Gallbladder and Biliary Tree: Initial Results in Healthy Volunteers

Bahar Mansoori¹, Karin Anna Herrmann¹, Pablo Riera Ros¹, Raj Mohan Paspulati¹

Ten to 15% of patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of biliary lithiasis have no gallstones and normal findings in morphologic imaging studies. Secretin-enhanced MRCP has proven to improve the assessment of chronic pancreatitis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Secretin, however, has no effect on the gallbladder, a function reserved to CCK. Purpose of this study was to utilize MR imaging to show the effects of Sincalide on the gallbladder and biliary tree, and to establish a MR imaging protocol with appropriate dose and timing for dynamic Sincalide-enhanced MRCP of the gallbladder and biliary system.