Assessment of liver metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma following chemotherapy: SPIO-MRI versus FDG-PET/CT.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared superparamagnetic iron-oxide-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (SPIO-MRI) and combined fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) in evaluating liver metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma following chemotherapy.


METHODS
Nineteen patients were included in this retrospective study. SPIO-MRI and PET/CT results were compared with surgery, intraoperative ultrasound and pathology results in 11 patients and with the follow-up in eight patients.


RESULTS
SPIO-MRI and PET/CT identified 125 and 71 metastases, respectively. False negative lesions were 11 for SPIO-MRI and 65 for PET/CT. In the whole study population, the per-lesion analysis of SPIO-MRI and PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 92% and 52% (p<0.001) and the per-segment analysis a sensitivity of 99% and 79% (p<0.001), respectively. In patients who underwent surgery, the per-lesion analysis of SPIO-MRI and PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 85% and 58% (p<0.05) and the per-segment analysis a sensitivity of 97% and 63% (p<0.05), respectively. In patients who underwent follow-up, the per-lesion analysis of SPIO-MRI and PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 97% and 47% (p<0.001) and the per-segment analysis a sensitivity of 100% and 63% (p<0.007), respectively. For lesions ≥15 and <30 mm and for lesions <15 mm, SPIO-MRI demonstrated a higher sensitivity than PET/CT (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
SPIO-MRI appears superior to PET/CT in evaluating liver metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma following chemotherapy.
Bacigalupo
L
L
Department of Radiology, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Mura delle Cappuccine 14, 16128 Genova, Italy. lorenzo.bacigalupo@galliera.it
Aufort
S
S
Eberlé
M C
MC
Assenat
E
E
Ychou
M
M
Gallix
B
B
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D003287:Contrast Media; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide