Superparamagnetic iron oxides and low molecular weight gadolinium chelates are synergistic for direct visualization of advanced liver fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of advanced liver fibrosis on nonenhanced (NE), gadolinium enhanced (Gd), superparamagnetic iron oxides enhanced (SPIO), and combined contrast-enhanced (CCE) spoiled gradient echoes (SGEs).


METHODS
This retrospective study assessed 83 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and 10 consecutive patients without fibrosis. All patients had NE, Gd, SPIO, and CCE images at 1.5 T. A total of six breathhold SGE sequences with varying imaging parameters were assessed. MR images were evaluated qualitatively and, in 15 cirrhotics who underwent liver transplantation, compared to gross pathology. CNR of fibrosis to background liver was compared across sequences and contrast enhancement types.


RESULTS
In cirrhotic patients, CCE images on all sequences showed fibrosis as a meshwork of high-signal 1-mm to 3-mm thick reticulations surrounding 2-mm to 5-mm low-signal regenerative nodules. Fibrosis was less visible on Gd and SPIO images and was barely visible on NE images. CNR was significantly higher for CCE than for NE, Gd, or SPIO images in eight of nine comparisons (P < 0.0001-0.05). The liver had a homogeneous appearance in subjects without fibrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
CCE imaging depicts advanced liver fibrosis with higher CNR than NE, Gd, or SPIO SGEs.
Hughes-Cassidy
Fiona
F
University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.
Chavez
Alyssa D
AD
Schlang
Adrienne
A
Hassanein
Tarek
T
Gamst
Anthony
A
Wolfson
Tanya
T
Sirlin
Claude
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties
D002614:Chelating Agents; D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide; D005682:Gadolinium