Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with subtraction of aggressive soft tissue tumors after resection.
OBJECTIVE
To report the application of dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MRI for detecting recurrences in aggressive or malignant soft tissue tumors.


METHODS
The imaging studies consisted of static (T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo) acquisitions, followed by dynamic conventional spin-echo short TR/TE images (at 45 s, 1 min 30 s and 5 min) after a bolus of intravenous contrast medium. Contrast images were subtracted from the precontrast scan on the console.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients were studied who had had aggressive or malignant soft tissue tumors treated by surgery, and were followed up to assess recurrences.


RESULTS
Subtraction MRI characterized recurrences better than routine sequences in 10 patients (1 lesion was seen only with this technique, 6 were better delineated, and 3 inflammatory pseudotumors were identified), and less well in 4 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
As the number of levels studied on dynamic images is limited, and all but one recurrence were detected on T2-weighted images, it remains logical to start the examination with T2-weighted spin-echo images, and to use the dynamic study only if contrast injection is required.
Vanel
D
D
Centre Inter-Etablissement de Résonance Magnétique, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.
Shapeero
L G
LG
Tardivon
A
A
Western
A
A
Guinebretière
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013382:Subtraction Technique
D003287:Contrast Media; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA