Differentiation of hepatic tumors by use of image contrast with T2-weighted MRI.
Differentiation of hepatic tumors is often evaluated in terms of qualitative diagnostic performance. The signal intensity patterns of hepatic masses are known to differ on certain T2-weighted imaging sequences. In this study, we investigated the quantitative analysis of hepatic masses by using an index called the "T2-shine ratio." Fast-spin-echo (FSE), half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE), and true-FISP sequences obtained with quick-imaging techniques during a single breath-hold were examined in 74 patients. T2-shine ratios were calculated by use of the signals of regions of interest (ROIs) placed on a tumor and peripheral tissue: the T2-shine ratio is defined as (tumor signal-liver signal)/liver signal. The rate of change in the T2-shine ratio was compared among three sequences of FSE, HASTE, and true-FISP. The T2-shine ratio of FSE deducted from HASTE was significantly higher for hepatic cysts than for other masses. The T2-shine ratio of HASTE deducted from True-FISP was less than zero for hemangioma. For the value that deducted the T2-shine ratio of HASTE from the T2-shine ratio of true-FISP, hemangiomas had a significantly lower value than did cysts and metastases (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference from hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Although liver cysts, cavernous hemangiomas, and other lesions could be differentiated, it was virtually impossible to distinguish HCCs from metastatic tumors. In conclusion, the quantitative analysis of hepatic tumors was able to differentiate among these lesions by use of the T2-shine ratio.
Ogura
Akio
A
Department of Radiology, Kyoto City Hospital, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. a-ogura@mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp
Hayakawa
Katsumi
K
Miyati
Tosiaki
T
Maeda
Fumie
F
Miyai
Akira
A
Saeki
Fumito
F
Murata
Takaharu
T
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis; D003287:Contrast Media; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media
Magn Reson Imaging. 1999 Apr;17(3):383-92
10195581
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003 Nov;181(5):1335-9
14573430
Radiology. 1987 Apr;163(1):27-31
3029804
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000 Jul;175(1):159-63
10882267
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000 Dec;175(6):1659-64
11090400
Radiology. 1985 May;155(2):421-3
2984719
Radiat Med. 1994 Nov-Dec;12(6):255-61
7724816
Radiology. 1993 Jan;186(1):133-8
8416554
J Magn Reson Imaging. 1993 Sep-Oct;3(5):800-2
8400568
Radiology. 1994 Oct;193(1):43-7
8090920
Radiology. 1996 Mar;198(3):881-7
8628887
Radiology. 2002 Oct;225(1):151-8
12354999
J Comput Assist Tomogr. 2005 Sep-Oct;29(5):571-9
16163021