Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions with Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-Enhanced MR Imaging: Value of Distributional Phase T1-Weighted Imaging
Korean Journal of Radiology
;
: 9-18, 2003.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-48703
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the potential value of distributional-phase T1-weighted ferumoxides-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for tissue characterization of focal liver lesions. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging was performed using a 1.5-T system in 46 patients referred for evaluation of known or suspected hepatic malignancies. Seventy-three focal liver lesions (30 hepatocellular carcinomas [HCC], 12 metastases, 15 cysts, 13 hemangiomas, and three cholangiocarcinomas) were evaluated. MR imaging included T1-weighted double-echo gradient-echo (TR/TE 150/4.2 and 2.1 msec), T2*-weighted gradient-echo (TR/TE 180/12 msec), and T2-weighted turbo spin-echo MR imaging at 1.5 T before and after intravenous administration of ferumoxides (15 mmol/kg body weight). Postcontrast T1-weighted imaging was performed within eight minutes of infusion of the contrast medium (distributional phase). Both qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed.RESULTS:
During the distributional phase after infusion of ferumoxides, unique enhancement patterns of focal liver lesions were observed for hemangiomas, metastases, and hepatocellular carcinomas. On T1-weighted GRE images obtained during the distributional phase, hemangiomas showed a typical positive enhancement pattern of increased signal; metastases showed ring enhancement; and hepatocellar carcinomas showed slight enhancement. Quantitatively, the signal-to-noise ratio of hemangiomas was much higher than that of other tumors (p < .05) and was similar to that of intrahepatic vessels. This finding permitted more effective differentiation between hemangiomas and other malignant tumors.CONCLUSION:
T1-weighted double-echo FLASH images obtained soon after the infusion of ferumoxides, show characteristic enhancement patterns and improved the differentiation of focal liver lesions.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Type of study:
Qualitative research
Language:
English
Journal:
Korean Journal of Radiology
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
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