Abstract: In order to explore the possibility of MRI in the noninvasive evaluation of gallbladder bile composition T₁-weighted spin-echo exial abdominal MR image at 0.5T and gallbladder bile compositon were obtained in 38 individuals (12 with acute uncomplicated cholecystitis and gallbladder gallstones, 1 patient with suppurative cholecystitis, 2 with acute hemorrhagic cholecystitis, 14 with chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder stones, 5 with gallbladder polyps, 4 with obstructive jaundice) in fast stage. The results show that the concentrations of cholesterol (p=0.014), fatty acids (p=0.001) and iron (p < 0.001) in the gallbladder bile in fast stage were significantly and negatively associated with liver-gallbladder signal intensity ratio on the T₁ weighted image (TR/TE=620/25 ms). No significant association was found between the liver-gallbladder signal intensity ratio and the concentrations of total protein, total bilirubin, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^- and Mg⁺⁺. We conclude that the liver-gallbladder signal intensity ratio on the T₁-weighted RM image can reflect gallbladder bile composition. The strongest determinants of the liver-gallbladder signal intensity ratio are the concentrations of cholesterol, fatty acids and iron.

Key words: NMR, Medical MRI