title: Delayed MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma enhanced by gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA).
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma HCC. MR images were obtained in 14 patients with 31 HCC nodules as a part of a phase III clinical trial. T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained before and after iv administration of 0.1 mmol/kg of Gd-BOPTA. Two blinded readers evaluated pre- and delayed postcontrast images separately for detection of tumor nodules. Quantitative measurements of signal-to-noise (SNR) and tumor/liver contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios were also performed. A signal/intensity ratio was calculated. Tumor enhancement was correlated with histologic findings. Consensus agreement of precontrast T1- and T2-weighted images revealed 23/31 HCC nodules in 14 patients; postcontrast T1-weighted images demonstrated 24/31 HCC nodules in the same number of patients. Combining both pre- and postcontrast images, 27/31 lesions were detected. Four patients had four well-differentiated HCC nodules detected only on postcontrast images, while three well-differentiated lesions in two patients were only seen on precontrast images. Quantitative evaluation showed an SNR ratio increase in both liver parenchyma and HCC nodules, as well as a significant increase in the absolute CNR ratio on postcontrast T1-weighted gradient-recalled images (P < 0.05). Well-differentiated HCC lesions showed a greater enhancement than poorly differentiated HCC lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Italy. mc2098@mclink.it
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manfredi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Baron
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cotroneo
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: De Gaetano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Franco
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pirovano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spinazzi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine; D005682:Gadolinium