[Oral contrast medium for magnetic resonance tomography of the abdomen. II. Phase I clinical testing of gadolinium-DTPA].

20 male volunteers were examined by MRI to determine safety and efficacy of Gd-DTPA formulations for gastrointestinal (GI)-tract contrast enhancement. Prior to and after administration of contrast spin-echo images were obtained. Volunteers were studied after administration of 10 ml contrast medium/kg (1.0 mmol Gd-DTPA/l vs. 0.5 mmol Gd-DTPA/l, no mannitol vs. 15 g mannitol/l vs. 30 g mannitol/l). Gd-DTPA provided high signal intensity in the GI tract. Contrast medium in gastric lumen and duodenum permitted improved delineation of pancreatic head and ventral outline in 16 of 20 subjects. No clinically relevant side effects were seen.