Primovist™ (U.S brand name
Eovist®) is a highly specific
MRI contrast agent for the imaging, detection and characterization of
liver conditions, including
liver tumors, cysts, as well as other malignant and benign lesions. It is a water-soluble ethoxybenzyl derivative of
Gd-DTPA. This compound is taken up by the hepatocytes (approximately 30% of the dose goes to the hepatocytes) and is equally excreted renal and biliary in humans.
Primovist™ brightens the signal of
T1 weighted MR images immediately after
contrast administration.
Dynamic scanning and imaging of the accumulation
phase (best after 20 min.) can also be performed after
bolus injection of Primovistâ„¢. The hepatocytes uptake will increase the
signal intensity of normal
liver parenchyma. This results in improved lesion-to-liver
contrast because malignant tumors (metastases, the majority of hepatocellular carcinomas) do not contain either hepatocytes or their functioning is hampered.
WARNING:
Gadolinium-based
contrast agents increase the risk for
nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in patients with acute or chronic severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate less than 30 mL/min/1.73m
2), or acute renal insufficiency of any severity due to the hepato-renal syndrome or in the perioperative
liver transplantation period.