Equivalent cross-relaxation rate imaging positively correlates with pathological grade and cell density of adipocytic tumors.
OBJECTIVE
Equivalent cross-relaxation rate imaging (ECRI) is an MRI technique used to evaluate qualitative changes in protein-water interactions. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the utility of ECRI for classification of adipocytic tumors.


METHODS
Institutional Review Board approval was obtained and all patients provided informed consent. Study participants included 40 patients with adipocytic tumors who were diagnosed with lipomas (n=22), atypical lipomatous tissue/well-differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL; n=9), myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MyL; n=6), and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDL; n=3), and 20 control patients for whom subcutaneous fat in the buttock or thigh was analyzed.


RESULTS
Mean ECR values of lipomas, ALT/WDL, and subcutaneous fat were low, and those of MyL and DDL were high. Mean ECR values of MyL and DDL were significantly higher than those of ALT/WDL. The cut-off value was 5.1%. There was a positive correlation between ECR value, pathological grade, and cell density in adipocytic tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
The ECR value positively correlates with pathological grade and cell density of adipocytic tumors. Our findings suggest that ECRI is a useful method for preoperative evaluation of adipocytic tumors.
Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Orthopedic Surgery. Electronic address: hirofumi5425@hotmail.co.jp.
Hirofumi
H
Okuda
Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Radiology.
Shigeru
S
Matsushima
Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Orthopedic Surgery.
Hideshi
H
Sugiura
Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Orthopedic Surgery.
Kenji
K
Yamada
Nagoya University, Orthopedic Surgery.
Shunsuke
S
Hamada
Nagoya University, Orthopedic Surgery.
Yoshihiro
Y
Nishida
Nagoya University, Orthopedic Surgery.
Naoki
N
Ishiguro
D017667:Adipocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008067:Lipoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
Adipocytic tumors; Equivalent cross-relaxation rate imaging; Lipoma; Liposarcoma; Magnetic resonance imaging