title: MR imaging of pleural and peritoneal effusion.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of MR imaging in predicting the quality of ascites and pleural effusion. MR examinations of 20 patients with different benign or malignant diseases accompanied with ascites or pleural effusion were retrospectively studied. Results were compared with histopathological findings. On T1- and T2-weighted images, the MR intensity of the effusion depended mainly on the concentration of protein, whereas on gradient echo images, it depended mainly on the concentration of blood. MR examination was useful in non-invasively differentiating exudative or hemorrhagic effusion from serous effusion. Knowledge or inference of the quality of effusion can direct MR interpretation and may improve diagnostic accuracy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kanto Rosai Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shiono
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Takenaka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hisamatsu
mesh_terms: D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies