Detection of hepatic metastases using ferucarbotran-enhanced MR imaging: feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional sensitivity-encoding water-excitation multishot echo-planar sequence (3D-SWEEP).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a ferucarbotran-enhanced three-dimensional sensitivity-encoding water-excitation multishot echo-planar sequence (3D-SWEEP) for detecting hepatic metastases compared to a T2*-weighted fast field-echo (FFE) sequence.


METHODS
Twenty-five consecutive patients with hepatic metastases underwent ferucarbotran-enhanced MRI on a 1.5-T unit before hepatic resections. Eighty-two foci of metastases were confirmed by histopathology or intraoperative ultrasonography (US). Signal-intensity decay (SID), tumor-to-liver contrast (TLC), and image quality were compared between T2*-weighted FFE and 3D-SWEEP. Three independent observers reviewed three imaging sets: set 1, without 3D-SWEEP or T2*-weighted FFE; set 2, with T2*-weighted FFE; and set 3, with 3D-SWEEP. The mean values of areas under alternative free response receiver operating characteristic curves (Az) and sensitivities were compared among the three sets.


RESULTS
SID and TLC were significantly greater for 3D-SWEEP than T2*-weighted FFE, although 3D-SWEEP had poorer image quality. The mean Az and sensitivity were significantly greater for set 3 compared to set 1 for detecting overall lesions, and compared to sets 1 and 2 for detecting lesions of 1-2 cm in diameter.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite relatively prominent artifacts, ferucarbotran-enhanced 3D-SWEEP was more sensitive and accurate than T2*-weighted FFE for detecting hepatic metastases.
Mori
Kensaku
K
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan. moriken@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Takahashi
Nobuyuki
N
Hiratsuka
Makiko
M
Shiigai
Masanari
M
Minami
Manabu
M
Oda
Tatsuya
T
Ohkohchi
Nobuhiro
N
Morishita
Yukio
Y
D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D003287:Contrast Media; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014867:Water
D003287:Contrast Media; C427127:superparamagnetic blood pool agent; D014867:Water; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide