title: Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in soft tissue tumors -- assessment of the diagnostic value of tumor enhancement rate indices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dynamic MRI is routinely used in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors to supplement static imaging. The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of dynamic MRI using the coefficient of total tumor enhancement expressed as per cent (tec%) and the tumor enhancement rate coefficient expressed as per cent per minute (erc%/min), and to make a comparative analysis of the sensitivity and specificity of both parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  The material consisted of 45 patients (30 sarcomas, 15 non-malignant lesions). The age of the patients was 16-64 years. The MRI was done using an Elscint 2T unit, applying gradient echo techniques. The coefficient of total contrast enhancement (tec%) and the tissue enhancement rate (erc%/min) were calculated. The limit values were determined for dividing the tumors into sarcomas and non-malignant lesions. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI were calculated and compared using both indices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dynamic MRI with calculation of erc%/min and tec% makes it possible to differentiate between sarcomas and non-malignant lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The erc%/min was a more sensitive than tec% differentiating parameter in the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland. tacikowska@2eom.pl
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tacikowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology