In vivo Proton MR Spectroscopic Findings of Focal Hepatic Lesions: Initial Experience

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the in vivo proton MRS features of various focal hepatic lesions and to distinguish these features according to the involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five hepatic lesions [hepatocellular carcinoma (n=7), cholangiocarcinoma(n=3), metastatic tumor (n=9), hemangioma (n=3), hepatic abscess (n=2), lymphoma (n=1)] underwent proton MR spectroscopy using a 1.5T unit and a localized proton STEAM sequence, without respiratory interruption, The findings of this in-vivo sequence were then reviewed, with particular attention to the presence and location of dominant peaks. RESULTS: In-vivo proton MR spectra were successfully acquired in all cases. A dominant lipid peak appeared in the MR spectra of the hepatocellular carcinomas, metastatic tumors, hepatic abscesses, lymphoma, one hemangioma and one cholangiocarcinoma(88%) at 1.3ppm, but not in two cholangiocarcinomas and one hemangioma. The spectral peaks of other metabolites appeared very irregular and even different in the same disease. CONCLUSION: In focal hepatic lesions, the spectra obtained during in-vivo proton MRS were useful, and a lipid peak was most frequent and dominant. Among the various neoplasms there were, however, no specific MR spectral features, and nor did such features vary according to the specific pathologic entity.