title: [The dynamic magnetic resonance study of focal liver lesions by FLASH sequences with bolus intravenous gadolinium-DTPA].
abstract: Thirty-five patients with hepatic hemangioma (n = 12), metastasis (n = 10), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n = 10) and focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 3) were examined with the fast low-angle shot (FLASH) technique and an intravenous bolus injection of Gd-DTPA. In order to differentiate the lesions, the following criteria were used: a) pre Gd-DTPA intensity of lesions; b) post Gd-DTPA patterns of contrast enhancement. On the basis of these criteria, an unquestionable differential diagnosis could be made. Hemangiomas were characterized by an hypointense mass before Gd-DTPA, by peripheral contrast enhancement and by subsequent continuous hyperintense fill-in; thus, hemangiomas were visualized as hyperintense lesion during the late phase. Before contrast administration hypovascular metastases appeared as hypointense; they were characterized by delayed uptake of contrast agent. HCCs were hyperintense lesions before contrast administrations; then, quick contrast enhancement and rapid decrease in signal intensity were observed with visualization of a hyperintense ring due to the capsule. Finally, focal nodular hyperplasia appeared isointense or hypointense relative to normal liver on precontrast scans; the lesions were enhanced transiently with subsequent quick dismission of contrast agent. This initial experience suggests dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging as an effective method to improve the differential diagnosis among hepatic tumors when precontrast T2-weighted images are equivocal.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Radiologia, Università, Spedali Civili, Brescia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Olivetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grazioli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maroldi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matricardi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Milanesio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D005682:Gadolinium; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
vernacular_title: Studio dinamico con risonanza magnetica delle lesioni focali epatiche mediante sequenze FLASH con gadolinio-DTPA endovena in bolo.