Differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions: role of spin-echo and contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of spin-echo (SE) and contrast material-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions.


METHODS
Conventional T1- and T2-weighted SE and fast low-angle shot dynamic MR imaging were performed in 300 focal liver lesions on a 1.5-T MR imager. Findings at both SE and dynamic imaging were analyzed by means of univariate and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
Although considerable overlap existed, signal intensity on T2-weighted images, tumor margin, and internal architecture were significant factors for SE imaging. For dynamic imaging, the hemodynamics and pattern of enhancement were significant factors. A logistic regression analysis revealed 86% of lesions were correctly categorized with these parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
A specific diagnosis of liver lesions can be obtained in most cases by combining parameters obtained from SE and dynamic MR images.
Yamashita
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hatanaka
Y
Y
Yamamoto
H
H
Arakawa
A
A
Matsukawa
T
T
Miyazaki
T
T
Takahashi
M
M
D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000556:secondary; D016015:Logistic Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA