title: MR-guided freehand biopsy of liver lesions with fast continuous imaging using a 1.0-T open MRI scanner: experience in 50 patients.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess a new open system with a field-strength of 1.0 T for the feasibility of liver biopsy using the freehand technique with fast continuous imaging. Fifty patients with focal liver lesions measuring 5 to 30 mm in diameter were included in the study. Guidance and monitoring was performed using a 1.0-T open magnetic resonance (MR) scanner (Panorama HFO; Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands). With fast continuous imaging using a T1-weighted (T1W) gradient echo (GRE) sequence after administration of gadolinium (Gd)-EOB-DTPA, the needle was placed into the lesion. An interface for interactive dynamic viewing in two perpendicular planes prevented needle deviations T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) fat-suppressed sequence was added to rule out postinterventional hematoma or biloma. All lesions were visible on the interventional images. Biopsy was technically successful, and solid specimens were obtained in all cases. Forty-six patients showed a histopathologic pattern other than native liver tissue, thus confirming correct position of the needle. Time between determination of the lesion and performance of the control scan was on average 18 min. No major complications were recorded. MR guidance with the new 1-T open system must be considered an attractive alternative for liver punction. An interface for dynamic imaging of needle guidance and T1W-GRE imaging with administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA for contrast enhancement allows the pinpoint puncture of liver lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical School, Otto von Guericke University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany. frank.fischbach@med.ovgu.de
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fischbach
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bunke
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thormann
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gaffke
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jungnickel
authors.forename: Jouke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smink
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ricke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D053783:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA