Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma and its metastases with various pulse sequences using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SHU-555-A).
BACKGROUND
To identify the most useful combinations of various pre- and postcontrast magnetic resonance (MR) image sequences in detecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its intrahepatic metastases before and after injection of SHU-555-A.


METHODS
Thirty-eight lesions in 16 patients were evaluated before and after administration of SHU-555-A by using fast spin echo (FSE), gradient echo (GRE), and echo planar (EP) imaging sequences using a 1.5-Tesla superconducting MR system. The signal intensity ratio (SIR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the lesions, signal-to-noise ratios, and other parameters were calculated.


RESULTS
Tumors were better detected after injection of SHU-555-A on all pulse sequences except on out-of-phase T1-weighted (T1W)-GRE sequences. Tumor detectability was higher for precontrast EP imaging and T2*-weighted (T2*W)-GRE sequences, whereas detectability at postcontrast was higher for T2*W-GRE, proton-density-weighted-FSE, and in-phase T1W-GRE sequences. The SIR and CNR at precontrast were highest for EP imaging, and those at postcontrast were highest for T2*W-GRE.


CONCLUSIONS
SHU-555-A will increase the detectability of HCC and its liver metastases. T1W- and T2*W-GRE sequences would be the sequences of choice.
Arbab
A S
AS
Department of Radiology, Yamanashi Medical University, Tamaho, Nakakoma, Yamanashi, 409-38, Japan.
Ichikawa
T
T
Araki
T
T
Toyama
K
K
Nambu
A
A
Ohsawa
S
S
Kumagai
H
H
Aikawa
Y
Y
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron; C065507:ferumoxides; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide