Dysprosium-enhanced MR imaging for tumor tissue characterization. An experimental study in a human xenograft model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate dysprosium-enhanced MR imaging for differentiation between morphologically intact and necrotic tumor tissue in a tumor model.


METHODS
A human colon carcinoma was transplanted subcutaneously into 9 nude (immunodeprived) rats. MR imaging was performed before and after injection of the dysprosium agent Dy-DTPA-BMA. T1-, T2- and T2*-weighted sequences were acquired. The tumors were dissected, histological sections were prepared, and compared with corresponding MR images.


RESULTS
In intact tissue, the MR signal intensity in the T2- and T2*-weighted images decreased after Dy injection and the delineation of the intact regions were sharp and corresponded well to the gross histological sections.


CONCLUSIONS
Dy-enhanced MR imaging facilitated the differentiation between intact and necrotic tumor tissue.
Wang
C
C
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Sundin
A
A
Ericsson
A
A
Bach-Gansmo
T
T
Hemmingsson
A
A
Ahlström
H
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D000818:Animals; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media; D004419:Dysprosium; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D051381:Rats; D011923:Rats, Nude; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D003287:Contrast Media; D004419:Dysprosium