[Superparamagnetic iron oxide particles: what value has the T1 effect in the MR diagnosis of focal liver lesions?].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the T1 effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) in MR imaging of focal hepatic lesions.


METHODS
21 patients with 34 liver lesions (18 benign) were examined before and immediately after infusion of SPIO particles (Endorem) with a T1-weighted GRE- and SE sequence and a double echo SE sequence at 1.5T. Changes of lesion signal intensity and contrast-to-noise (C/N) ratio were measured in addition to a qualitative analysis of changes in liver vessel signal.


RESULTS
In all cases a marked increase of liver vessel signal intensity was observed on T1-weighted images after SPIO infusion. In contrast to malignant lesions, haemangiomas and adenomas showed significant signal changes (p < 0.05) on T1-and T2-weighted images. Highest signal changes were achieved for haemangiomas on T1-GRE images (+80%) followed by T1-SE (+41%) and T2-SE (-42%). Malignant liver lesions exhibited highest C/Ns on T2-weighted postcontrast images.


CONCLUSIONS
The T1-effect of Endorem offers no benefits in respect of detectability of malignant liver lesions. However, it is helpful in characterising haemangiomas and their differentiation from liver tumours.
Urhahn
R
R
B1inik für Radiologische Diagnostik der RWTH Aachen.
Adam
G
G
Busch
N
N
Chen
J H
JH
Euringer
W
W
Günther
R W
RW
D000236:Adenoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D003911:Dextrans; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007501:Iron; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010087:Oxides; D013535:Suspensions
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D013535:Suspensions; D007501:Iron; C065507:ferumoxides; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide
Superparamagnetische Eisenoxidpartikel: Welchen Stellenwert hat der T1-Effekt für die MR-Diagnostik fokaler Leberläsionen?