Detection of hepatic tumors: arterial-phase MR imaging versus spiral CT arteriography.
BACKGROUND
To compare the utility of arterial-phase magnetic resonance (APMR) imaging and spiral computed tomography arteriography (CTA) for detection of hepatic tumors.


METHODS
Both APMR imaging and CTA were performed in 24 patients with liver tumors. APMR imaging was initiated at 25-30 s after an intravenous bolus injection of gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid using the fast multiplanar spoiled GRASS technique. CTA was initiated at 3 s after hepatic arterial injection of 30-64% nonionic contrast agent. APMR and CTA images were separately reviewed retrospectively by two blinded readers. Afterward, matched pair was reviewed to determine which had better lesion conspicuity.


RESULTS
The sensitivities for hepatic tumors were 67.2 and 86.6% in APMR and CTA, respectively (p < 0.01). Seven (12.5%) and 21 (23.9%) false-positive lesions were seen at APMR and CTA, respectively (NS). Lesion conspicuity was comparable between APMR and CTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Although APMR imaging is an useful noninvasive method to detect hypervascular liver tumors, APMR imaging is still not an alternative to CTA with respect to tumor detectability.
Kanematsu
M
M
Department of Radiology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hoshi
H
H
Sone
Y
Y
Mochizuki
R
R
Kato
M
M
Yokoyama
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA