Manganese Chloride

Manganese chloride (MnCl2) is a prototype hepatobiliary contrast agent. IV and oral administration in animals results in a rapid decrease in the T1 relaxation time of the liver, spleen, kidneys, heart, and bile causing a bright signal on T1-weighted images. In its ionic state, Mn+2, it is relatively toxic. In imaging doses of 0.2 mmol/kg, it caused severe hypotension and ventricular fibrillation in dogs. Cerebral damage results from chronic manganese toxicity. Mn can be used in the form of a chelate with diminished toxicity for hepatobiliary imaging in humans.