Enhancement of the pancreas was demonstrated after low-dose (10 mumol/kg) infusion of a new contrast agent for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, manganese dipyridoxal-diphosphate (Mn-DPDP). To the authors' knowledge, this has not been described previously. The enhancement reached a maximum of 98% +/- 13% (standard deviation) during a long period (greater than 6 hours). Mn-DPDP seems to have potential as a selective contrast agent in MR imaging of the pancreas.