Detection and characterization of focal liver lesions using superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: comparison between ferumoxides-enhanced T1-weighted imaging and delayed-phase gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted imaging.
BACKGROUND
Double contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and gadolinium (Gd) is performed to detect and characterize focal liver lesions. However, this technique is a costly and lengthy process. The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of SPIO-enhanced MR imaging including SPIO-enhanced T1-weighted imaging in diagnosing focal liver lesions.


METHODS
Eighty-four focal liver lesions were examined with a 1.5-T MR unit. Transverse precontrast T1- and T2-weighted images and SPIO (ferumoxides)-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted images were obtained, followed by Gd-enhanced T1 -weighted imaging. The Gd set (i.e., precontrast T1- and T2-weighted and delayed-phase gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images) and ferumoxides set (i.e., precontrast T1- and ferumoxides-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted images) were reviewed by two independent readers.


RESULTS
More lesions were detected from the ferumoxides set than from the Gd set. Ferumoxides-enhanced T1-weighted imaging showed enhancement patterns of the lesions similar to those of delayed-phase Gd-enhanced T1-weighted imaging. The diagnoses of hepatic metastasis and cyst by the ferumoxides set were similar to those by the Gd set. However, a dynamic study may be inevitable for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and hemangioma.


CONCLUSIONS
The ferumoxides set was useful for the detection of focal hepatic lesions. Ferumoxides-enhanced T1-weighted imaging may replace delayed-phase gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted imaging in the diagnosis of hepatic metastasis and cysts.
Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8603, Japan.
K
K
Takahama
Y
Y
Amano
H
H
Hayashi
M
M
Ishihara
T
T
Kumazaki
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides; D013535:Suspensions
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D013535:Suspensions; D007501:Iron; C065507:ferumoxides; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide