Hepatic metastases: detection with multisection FLASH MR imaging during gadolinium chelate-enhanced arterial portography.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility and sensitivity of multisection fast low-angle shot (FLASH) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the depiction of hepatic metastases.


METHODS
The cases of 10 patients with 39 surgically proved hepatic metastases were prospectively evaluated. After unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) and FLASH imaging, 4 mL of a 0.5 mol/L solution of a gadolinium chelate (tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid) was injected into the superior mesenteric artery during FLASH imaging in a single breath-holding period.


RESULTS
No side effects were noted. With multisection FLASH MR arterial portography, tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (34.5 +/- 4.4) was significantly increased compared with unenhanced MR imaging. Sensitivity was 74% (29 of 39) for combined SE and multisection FLASH imaging and 95% (37 of 39) for multisection FLASH MR arterial portography (McNemar test, P < .02).


CONCLUSIONS
Multisection FLASH MR arterial portography is a safe, feasible, and sensitive technique with which to detect hepatic metastases.
Soyer
P
P
Department of Radiology, Hopital Bichat, Paris, France.
Laissy
J P
JP
Sibert
A
A
Azencot
M
M
Vissuzaine
C
C
Marmuse
J P
JP
Achour
E
E
Hercot
O
O
Menu
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002614:Chelating Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011172:Portography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002614:Chelating Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D006571:Heterocyclic Compounds; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C050823:gadolinium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetate; D005682:Gadolinium