[Initial experience with the use of oral gadolinium-DTPA in nuclear magnetic resonance tomography of the pelvis].

The use of an oral contrast medium has so far not become a matter of routine in MR of the abdomen. In the present study the use of orally applied gadolinium-DTPA was examined in respect of tumorous diseases in the minor pelvis. 18 patients with tumours in the minor pelvis were examined before and after oral administration of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA). 10 ml/kg body weight of a gadolinium DTPA solution were applied in a concentration of 1.0 mmol/l. T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences were carried out before application and T1-weighted sequences after application. Oral application gadolinium-DTPA resulted in enhancing the signals of the filled intestinal portions. In 54% of the cases the sequences showed a sharper delineation between tumour and intestine. In 19% the delineation between pathological tissue and intestine on contrast examination was as well defined as in T2-weighted contrast images; in 27% of the cases oral administration of gadolinium-DTPA did not yield any additional information. No significant side effects were seen.