NMR proton 1/T1 rates in bile fluid

1/T1 rates in bile fluids from patients with gallstones in the gallbladder have been determined using a FT-NMR spectrometer operating at 60MHz. The inversion recovery pulse sequences (180 degrees-tau-90 degrees] were used for T1 measurements. Fluids from patients with nonobstructive. partially obstructive and complete obstructive gallstones have been studied. The mean 1/T1 in bile fluids from patients with obstructive gallstones was highly significantly different than those from patients with non-obstructive and partial obstructive gallstones. while the 1/T1 in the fluid of partially obstructive cases was significantly different than that of complete obstructive cases. This implies that in vivo MRI T1 measurements can be used for the clinical course of gallstone formation and for surgical decision about early intervention.