The Efficacy of Roselle (Hibicus Sabdariffa Linn.) Flower Tea as Oral Negative Contrast Agent for MRCP Study
Vithya Varavithya, MD*, Sith Phongkitkarun, MD** Janjira Jatchavala, MD**, Supap Ngeonthom***, Wutthi Sumetchotimaytha, MD****, Vichit Leelasithorn, MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon-Nayok ** Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University *** Prachachuen Imaging Center **** Section of Surgery, National Cancer Institute
Objective : To evaluate the efficacy of roselle flower tea (RFT) administration as oral negative contrast agent
for MRCP study.
Materials and Methods : Roselle flower tea was prepared by packing 4,000 mg of dry ground roselle flower in
a tea bag and soaked with 480 ml of hot distilled water. RFT was tested in phantom, volunteer subjects and
was studied in patients for MRCP study. Quanlitative analysis was made by evaluation of the conspicuity of
biliary system after RFT administration. Quantitative comparison was performed by comparing the contrast-
to-noise ratio between each part of the biliary system with stomach and duodenum.
Results : Roselle flower tea can effectively reduce signal intensity of the stomach and duodenum. There was
statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in conspicuity of the common bile duct. There was slight
improvement of conspicuity of common hepatic duct, ampulla and main pancreatic duct. Contrast-to-noise
ratios were all statistically significantly improved. RFT contains 0.6 mg of iron and 1.28 mg of manganese
content.
Conclusion : Roselle flower tea is a very efficient oral negative contrast agent. It is natural, safe, inexpensive
and palatable for oral administration.
Keywords : MRCP, Oral negative, Hetatobiliary
