title: Use of two-dimensional multiple-slice magnetic resonance hydrography for diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas and cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although hepatic hemangiomas and cysts display very high signal intensities on conventional T2 images, their appearances are quite distinct using magnetic resonance hydrography (MRH). We examined the feasibility of using MRH in distinguishing hepatic cysts from hemangiomas.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 97 patients with hepatic hemangiomas and 65 with hepatic cysts. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (including two-dimensional multiple slice MRH, TR/TE: 8000/800) and the results were reviewed independently by two radiologists. The signal intensities of the lesions were measured. For each lesion, the variation in signal to noise ratio between MRH and the fat-saturated T2-weighted images was calculated, and the results were validated using a receiver operating characteristic curve.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between the signal to noise ratio of hepatic hemangiomas and cysts using MRH (p < 0.001). This difference could be identified by visual inspection. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the ideal cut-off value for the signal intensity reduction ratio between hepatic cysts and hemangiomas was -0.1. Using this ratio, the derived sensitivity was 95.4%, specificity 99.0%, and accuracy 99.7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatic hemangiomas and cysts have significantly different signal intensities on non-contrast two-dimensional multiple-slice MRH. This approach uses a non-invasive, reliable, and accurate imaging technique to differentiate the two diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. chenranchou@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Ran-Chou
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chao-Shiang
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chen-Te
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Wei-Tsung
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chao-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jiunn-Ming
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lii
authors.forename: Hsing-Yang
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity