MRI 3D-VIBE序列全肝灌注应用探讨

目的：探讨磁共振三维客积式内插法屏气检查（3D-VIBE）序列对人全肝灌注的可行性及其临床应用价值。方法：30例健康志愿者行常规MRI T1WI、T2WI轴面及true-FISP冠状面扫描后,采用经改良的3D-VIBE序列行全肝灌注扫描,然后在肝左、右叶、腹主动脉及门静脉区分别选择兴趣区（ROI）,测量其在注射Gd—DTPA后不同灌注时间及延迟期的信号强度值,最后绘制时间-浓度曲线。结果：每个志愿者分别得到4条关于肝左、右叶、腹主动脉及门静脉的时间-浓度曲线。Od—DTPA在肝左、右叶、腹主动脉和门静脉的动态浓度范围分别为0～0．6mmol／l、0～0．6mmol／l、0～1．7mmol／l和0～1．0mmol／l。肝左、右叶及门静脉时间-浓度曲线较柔和,缓慢达峰并缓慢下降;腹主动脉时间-浓度曲线有2个峰值,且达峰时间快。结论：应用改良的3D-VIBE序列行全肝灌注的技术切实可行,能从中获得时间-浓度曲线,使肝血流灌注参数量化,对评估肝血流灌注异常具有重要临床意义。     

正常肝脏MR灌注成像特点的分析

目的探讨正常肝脏MR灌注特征、量化指标和参考标准。方法连续选取100例临床拟行上腹部MR检查、无肝脏病变的受检者行上腹部常规MR成像及MR肝灌注成像。选择包含门静脉主干、腹主动脉、肝实质的单层斜冠状层面、采用2DFSPGR序列行MR肝灌注扫描,平静呼吸,注射对比剂后连续扫描100s,每秒采集1幅图像,共获得100幅图像。在图像后处理工作站上获取腹腔干水平腹主动脉(abdominal aorta,AA)、门静脉主干(portal vein,PV)和肝实质的时间信号曲线(TIC),测量PV、肝实质的TIC峰值时间;以AA、PV的TIC为参照设置时间参数,分别得到肝实质肝动脉期、门静脉期的正增强函数(PEI),从而计算出肝实质的肝灌注系数(HPI)并对不同年龄组正常肝脏HPI进行统计分析。结果100例正常肝脏门静脉主干的TIC峰值时间为(38.66±4.14)s,肝实质的TIC峰值时间为(56.24±4.47)s,HPI为(18.9±3.5)%。各年龄组(20~30岁、30~40岁、40~50岁、50~60岁)肝实质的HPI分别为(20.9±4.8)%、(18.1±3.7)%、(18.4±2.4)%、(19.1±3.6)%,各组均数之间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论本研究借助MR肝灌注成像技术,利用强化峰值时间及HPI,获得100例中国人正常肝脏灌注量化评估参考标准。     

晚期肝硬化肝脏MR灌注成像的灌注量化分析

目的:使用动态增强MR成像技术获得的肝灌注系数(HPI),评价其在反映肝移植前晚期肝硬化患者肝脏血供特点中的价值。方法:使用1.5T MR扫描仪对100例正常肝脏组和57例晚期肝硬化患者移植前的受体肝脏进行快速团注对比剂(Gd-DTPA)后的斜冠状断面单层2D SPGR序列的MR灌注成像检查,比较对照组和肝硬化组门静脉和肝实质的时间-信号强度变化曲线(TIC)特点及峰值时间。根据腹腔干水平腹主动脉和门静脉主干的TIC为参照设置时间参数,计算受检者肝脏实质动脉期和静脉期的正增强系数(PEI)。设定肝灌注系数(HPI)=动脉期PEI/(动脉期PEI 门脉期PEI)×100%。对两组受检者HPI进行统计分析,根据HPI的受试者工作特性曲线(receiver operator characteristiccurve,ROCcurve)选择诊断肝硬化的HPI参考标准。结果:对照组及肝硬化组门静脉曲线峰值时间分别为(38.66±4.14)s和(55.51±5.31)s,P<0.01;肝实质TIC峰值时间分别为(56.24±4.47)s和(81.39±7.02)s,P<0.01;对照组及肝硬化组肝实质的HPI分别为(18.9±3.5)%和(26.4±5.5)%,P<0.01;应用HPI>21.6%为诊断肝硬化的标准,敏感度为86%,特异度为85%,阳性预测值为77%,阴性预测值为91%,诊断符合率为85%。结论:MR灌注成像技术可以在活体状态下无创分析肝内血供,此技术可用于评估晚期肝硬化患者肝移植前肝脏内的血流灌注。     

肝脏及其相关脏器在肝炎后肝硬化中的时间-密度曲线研究

目的 探讨从正常肝脏到肝炎后肝硬化的演变过程中,相关脏器的时间-密度曲线(TDC)变化规律.资料与方法 3组共120例(正常对照组34例,肝炎肝纤维化组48例,肝炎后肝硬化组38例)经CT同层动态增强扫描得到腹主动脉、门静脉、肝实质、脾脏实质等4个感兴趣区(ROI)TDC,分析3组ROI达峰时间(TTP)和峰值高度(PV).结果 3组主动脉的TTP无差异性,PV有统计学差异;3组门静脉、肝脏、脾的,TTP及PV均有统计学意义,均为TTP渐延长,PV渐下降.结论 门静脉、肝脏、脾等相关脏器的TDC表现反映了肝炎后肝硬化的血流动力学变化.     

肝硬化640层CT肝灌注容积扫描肝血管成像的临床应用研究

目的:探讨利用640层CT肝灌注容积数据对肝硬化患者进行肝血管成像的可行性及其临床应用价值.方法:25例肝功正常(A组)和50例肝硬化患者(B组:Child-Pugh A级25例;C组:Child-Pugh B级25例)行640层CT肝灌注检查,绘制时间-密度曲线(TDC),测量主动脉和门静脉的达峰值时间(TTP)、峰值(PV)及门静脉与肝脏密度差的最大值(P-L).选取主动脉峰值期的容积数据进行肝动脉血管成像;采用P-L值最大的1期及3期容积数据对门静脉进行单期和多期融合成像,并对比两种成像方法的图像质量.结果:三组间主动脉TTP和PV的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).肝硬化组门静脉的TTP较对照组长,PV及P-L值下降,3组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);进一步两两比较,除A与B组间门脉TTP值的差异无统计学意义外,其余各组间3个参数的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).3组均可显示肝动脉3级分支.门脉多期融合成像质量优于单期成像(P＜0.05),A组可显示3～4级门静脉分支,B和C组可显示1～3级门静脉分支.结论:利用640层CT全肝灌注成像容积数据进行血管成像,能清晰显示肝动脉和门静脉,有助于肝硬化患者临床治疗方案的制订.     

正常肝脏磁共振灌注加权成像初步研究

目的:研究正常肝脏不同分叶PWI成像情况.方法:选择14例正常肝脏行PWI扫描,根据时间-信号曲线获取肝脏各分叶灌注峰值及灌注峰值时间,计算脾灌注峰值前后的最大斜率,动脉期和静脉期灌注参数值.把所得的数据按照不同肝叶分组,进行统计学分析.结果:肝脏左、右叶的血流灌注量差异有显著性意义.结论:肝动脉在肝左叶的血流比例大于肝右叶,门静脉在肝右叶的血流比例大于肝左叶.     

兔肝MR灌注表现的实验研究

目的 探讨兔正常肝脏的MR灌注特征.方法 新西兰大白兔10只,体重2.5～3.0 kg,分别进行MR灌注成像.采用TFE序列.灌注成像参数:矩阵89×256,TR 4.3 ms,TE 1.4 ms,激励次数1,视野355 mm×75 mm,层厚5 mm,间距1 mm,NSA为1次.扫描层面数4层,每层反复激励65次,总扫描时间为1 min 20 s.将原始图像输入到PHILIPS后处理工作站(VIEWFORUM),自动生成MR灌注图.分析MR灌注图像及不同组织MR灌注成像特点.结果 肝血容量(HBV)图、肝血流量(HBF)图清楚勾画出肝脏轮廓.腹主动脉强化曲线,表现为速升速降,MR信号强度峰值496±131,肝静脉表现为逐渐升高,MR信号强度峰值323±92,强化时间比腹主动脉晚.正常肝组织强化曲线,呈缓慢升降,MR信号强度峰值194±58.腹主动脉、肝静脉及正常肝组织MR信号强度峰值的比较有统计学差异(F=10.27,P=0.012).结论采用TFE序列可成功进行兔MR灌注成像,HBV图、HBF图清楚勾画出肝脏轮廓,强化曲线可初步反映兔肝脏不同组织的血流情况.     

MSCT灌注成像在肝脏常见肿瘤鉴别诊断中的临床应用价值

目的探讨CT灌注成像在肝脏常见肿瘤鉴别诊断中的应用价值。资料与方法将61例肝脏肿瘤患者分为肝细胞癌组、肝转移瘤组及肝血管瘤组,进行全肝灌注成像,感兴趣区(ROI)分别选放于病灶内(A点)、病灶周围1 cm处(B点)及正常肝实质(C点),分析其灌注彩图、灌注参数及时间-密度曲线(TDC)特点。结果 (1)肝细胞癌、约81%肝转移瘤在肝动脉灌注量(HAP)图上表现为不均匀高灌注,坏死区呈低灌注,门静脉灌注量(HPP)图上呈不均匀低灌注;肝血管瘤边缘结节样强化区域HAP图上呈明显高灌注,HPP图上部分呈低灌注,早期无强化区域在HAP及HPP图上均呈低灌注。(2)肝细胞癌TDC呈速升速降型,在30 s前达到峰值;肝转移瘤TDC一般在30 s前达到峰值,但顶峰多不明显;海绵状血管瘤TDC呈速升缓降型,一般在30 s后才达到高峰。(3)肝细胞癌组及肝转移瘤组B点参数值与A点有相似改变,而血管瘤组B点与C点灌注参数值无差异。肝细胞癌组、肝转移瘤组A点HPP值低于肝血管瘤组,肝动脉灌注指数(HPI)值高于肝血管瘤组。肝细胞癌组、肝转移瘤组B点HPP、总肝灌注量(TLP)值低于肝血管瘤组,HPI值高于肝血管瘤组;各组B点间HPI差异无统计学意义。(4)灌注参数受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析发现A点HPP、HPI及B点HPP、TLP、HPI灌注参数的曲线下面积(AUC)均位于0.7～0.9之间。结论 CT灌注成像在肝脏常见良恶性肿瘤的鉴别诊断中有一定价值;ROC曲线分析有望用于评价灌注参数在肝脏肿瘤良恶性鉴别中的诊断效能,并选择合适的诊断参考值。     

Clinical Value of 64 Multidetector Spiral CT Perfusion Imaging in Differential Diagnosis of Common Hepatic Tumors

目的 探讨CT灌注成像在肝脏常见肿瘤鉴别诊断中的应用价值.资料与方法 将61例肝脏肿瘤患者分为肝细胞癌组、肝转移瘤组及肝血管瘤组,进行全肝灌注成像,感兴趣区( ROI)分别选放于病灶内(A点)、病灶周围1 cm处(B点)及正常肝实质(C点),分析其灌注彩图、灌注参数及时间-密度曲线(TDC)特点.结果 (1)肝细胞癌、约81％肝转移瘤在肝动脉灌注量(HAP)图上表现为不均匀高灌注,坏死区呈低灌注,门静脉灌注量(HPP)图上呈不均匀低灌注;肝血管瘤边缘结节样强化区域HAP图上呈明显高灌注,HPP图上部分呈低灌注,早期无强化区域在HAP及HPP图上均呈低灌注.(2)肝细胞癌TDC呈速升速降型,在30 s前达到峰值;肝转移瘤TDC一般在30 s前达到峰值,但顶峰多不明显;海绵状血管瘤TDC呈速升缓降型,一般在30 s后才达到高峰.(3)肝细胞癌组及肝转移瘤组B点参数值与A点有相似改变,而血管瘤组B点与C点灌注参数值无差异.肝细胞癌组、肝转移瘤组A点HPP值低于肝血管瘤组,肝动脉灌注指数(HPI)值高于肝血管瘤组.肝细胞癌组、肝转移瘤组B点HPP、总肝灌注量(TLP)值低于肝血管瘤组,HPI值高于肝血管瘤组;各组B点间HPI差异无统计学意义.(4)灌注参数受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析发现A点HPP、HPI及B点HPP、TLP、HPI灌注参数的曲线下面积(AUC)均位于0.7 ～0.9之间.结论 CT灌注成像在肝脏常见良恶性肿瘤的鉴别诊断中有一定价值;ROC曲线分析有望用于评价灌注参数在肝脏肿瘤良恶性鉴别中的诊断效能,并选择合适的诊断参考值.     

MR全肝灌注成像在直肠癌肝转移中应用的初步探讨

目的：探讨MR全肝灌注检查对直肠癌肝转移的临床应用价值。方法：选择46例直肠癌患者（16例肝转移,30例无肝转移）行MR全肝灌注扫描,采用三维容积内插序列（3D-VIBE）,对比剂按注射流率4ml／s,扫描时平静呼吸,连续扫描90S,每3S进行一次全肝采集。在工作站上获取腹腔干水平腹主动脉、门静脉主干、肝实质和脾脏的时间一信号强度曲线（TIC）,计算肝实质的相对肝动脉灌注量（HAP）、相对门静脉灌注量（HPP）及肝动脉灌注指数（HPI）,并对有或无肝转移组的上述指标进行统计分析。结果：肝转移组HPI（平均0．387）高于无肝转移组（平均0．285）,而肝转移组相对HPP值（平均0．967）低于无肝转移组（平均为1．332）,其中HPI和HPP在两组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,而肝转移组的相对HAP值（平均0．565）高于无肝转移组（平均0．535）,但在两组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：MR全肝灌注检查技术可分析肝内血流灌注的改变,对预测直肠癌肝转移有重要潜在应用价值。     

Optimization of flip angle for 3D-VIBE technique in liver dynamic MRI

The aim of this study was to determine a moderate flip angle (FA) for dynamic liver MR imaging (MRI) with the three-dimensional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE) technique. Images of phantoms with various T(1) values (44-560 msec) were acquired with the 3D-VIBE sequence (TR/TE=5.2/2.6 msec) using different FA (5-50 degree). We estimated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), considered to indicate tumor-to-liver contrast, as a function of FA. In phantoms, in which T(1) values (44-191 msec) were assumed to be shortened by the effect of Gd-DTPA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the highest SNR in each phantom was observed at FA ranging from 15 to 30 degrees. SNRs in other phantoms, in which T(1) values (298-560 msec) were assumed to be normal liver-tissue pre- or post-enhancement, were high with FA of 10-12 degrees, and were remarkably decreased with FA of more than 30 degrees. CNR increased as FA increased in every phantom, especially in the phantom with shortened T(1) values (44-191 msec), suggesting that enlarging FA improved the tumor-to-liver contrast. Taking both results of SNR and CNR into account, we concluded that a moderate FA was approximately 25 degrees. The advantage with an FA of 25 degrees was confirmed in a clinical study of a patient with hypervascular HCC, in which we could observe coronal enhancement surrounding the lesion in the late phase of the double arterial phase by dynamic MRI using the 3D-VIBE technique.     

Usefulness of 3D-VIBE method in breast dynamic MRI: imaging parameters and contrasting effects

MR imaging (MRI) has been reported to be a useful modality to characterize breast tumors and to evaluate disease extent. Contrast-enhanced dynamic MRI, in particular, allows breast lesions to be characterized with high sensitivity and specificity. Our study was designed to develop three-dimensional volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (3D-VIBE) techniques for the evaluation of breast tumors. First, agarose/Gd-DTPA phantoms with various concentrations of Gd-DTPA were imaged using 3D-VIBE and turbo spin echo (TSE). Second, one of the phantoms was imaged with 3D-VIBE using different flip angles. Finally, water excitation (WE) and a chemical shift-selective (CHESS) pulse were applied to the images. Each image was analyzed for signal intensity, signal-to-noise ratio (1.25*Ms/Mb) (SNR), and contrast ratio [(Ms1-Ms2)/[(Ms1+Ms2)/2]]. The results showed that 3D-VIBE provided better contrast ratios with a linear fit than TSE, although 3D-VIBE showed a lower SNR. To reach the best contrast ratio, the optimized flip angle was found to be 30 degrees for contrast-enhanced dynamic study. Both WE and CHESS pulses were reliable for obtaining fat-suppressed images. In conclusion, the 3D-VIBE technique can image the entire breast area with high resolution and provide better contrast than TSE. Our phantom study suggests that optimized 3D-VIBE may be useful for the assessment of breast tumors.     

MRI of the thorax during whole-body MRI: evaluation of different MR sequences and comparison to thoracic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of four MR sequences used as part of a whole-body MRI protocol to detect pulmonary lesions in cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 31 oncology patients were imaged in a 1.5T MR scanner (Magnetom Avanto; Siemens Medical Solutions, Germany) for whole-body staging. MR chest imaging included: axial and coronal T2-weighted (T2w)-short-tau inversion-recovery (STIR), axial T2w turbo spin-echo (TSE), and contrast-enhanced (CE) three-dimensional (3D) volumetric interpolated breathhold examination (VIBE). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the thorax served as the reference standard. The MDCT and MR images were evaluated independently by two radiologists. Comparative analysis was performed per lesion, per lobe, and per patient. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were determined. RESULTS: Compared to MDCT that detected 268 pulmonary lesions ranging from 2 to 75 mm in diameter, the MR sensitivities were 91.1%, 92.5%, 90.8%, and 87.3% for the coronal STIR, the axial STIR, the axial T2w-TSE, and the axial CE 3D-VIBE, respectively. Undetected pulmonary lesions were either calcified or smaller than 10 mm in the axial diameter. With coronal STIR, six false-positive findings were detected; with axial STIR, 14 were detected; with axial T2w-TSE, 10 were detected; and with 3D-VIBE, seven were detected. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary MRI is feasible as part of a whole-body MRI protocol. In our study, STIR images achieved high accuracy compared to chest MDCT for pulmonary lesions of 3 mm in size or larger.     

动态增强容积内插序列在肝脏占位性病变的临床应用价值

目的:评价MRI三维动态增强容积内插序列在肝脏局灶性病变的临床应用价值.方法:91例肝脏占位性病变患者进行常规MR T1WI和T2WI扫描后,采用三维扰相梯度序列行屏气全肝3期动态增强扫描并进行图像重组,观察病灶的增强特点,并对肝动脉的显示程度进行分级.结果:91例中原发性肝癌17例,肝血管瘤24例,肝转移性肿瘤16例,局灶性结节增生2例,肝脓肿11例,肝囊肿21例.肝动脉显示为2级86例94.5%,1级3例3.3%,0级2例2.2%.结论:MR 动态增强容积内插技术可以获得高质量的图像(尤其是动脉期),有利于肝脏局灶性病变的定性、定位诊断和指导临床治疗.     

磁共振3D-VIBE序列联合MRCP在肝门部胆管癌T1期中的诊断价值

目的 探讨磁共振三维容积式内插法屏气检查序列(3D-VIBE)联合磁共振胆胰管成像(MRCP)在肝门部胆管癌T1期中的诊断价值. 资料与方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的T1期肝门胆管癌16例,术前均经MR 3D-VIBE三期增强扫描和MRCP检查,复习MR肝门部胆管癌T1期3D-VIBE三期增强扫描和MRCP的影像学表现并与手术病理作对照. 结果 16例T1期肝门部胆管癌中,单纯发生于肝管汇合部7例;同时侵及左肝管4例,侵及右肝管2例;肝管汇合部未见病灶,仅发生于左肝管2例,右肝管1例.肿瘤呈结节状3例,结节合并浸润状2例,单纯浸润状11例;局部淋巴结增大5例,胆囊萎缩2例.MRI T1WI平扫呈等信号4例,稍低信号12例,T2WI呈等信号2例,稍高信号14例;MRCP表现为肝门部胆管截断3例,其上肝内外胆管呈"软藤样"扩张;肝门部胆管狭窄、变细4例,狭窄呈"鼠尾状"或"矛尖状",肝左右叶扩张的胆管在肝门部不能汇合;肝外二级胆管狭窄9例,狭窄段以上胆管不同程度扩张.3D-VIBE三期增强扫描动脉早期肿瘤轻度强化,动脉晚期和门静脉期中到明显强化. 结论 MR 3D-VIBE联合MRCP检查能够提高T1期肝门部胆管癌的检出率.有助于指导临床术前制定合理的手术方案.     

Fast T2*-weighted MRI of the prostate at 3 Tesla

Purpose:

To describe a rapid T2*‐weighted (T2*W), three‐dimensional (3D) echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence and its application in mapping local magnetic susceptibility variations in 3 Tesla (T) prostate MRI. To compare the sensitivity of T2*W EPI with routinely used T1‐weighted turbo‐spin echo sequence (T1W TSE) in detecting hemorrhage and the implications on sequences sensitive to field inhomogeneities such as MR spectroscopy (MRS).

Materials and Methods:

B₀ susceptibility weighted mapping was performed using a 3D EPI sequence featuring a 2D spatial excitation pulse with gradients of spiral k‐space trajectory. A series of 11 subjects were imaged using 3T MRI and combination endorectal (ER) and six‐channel phased array cardiac coils. T1W TSE and T2*W EPI sequences were analyzed quantitatively for hemorrhage contrast. Point resolved spectroscopy (PRESS MRS) was performed and data quality was analyzed.

Results:

Two types of susceptibility variation were identified: hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic T2*W‐positive areas. Post‐biopsy hemorrhage lesions showed on average five times greater contrast on the T2*W images than T1W TSE images. Six nonhemorrhage regions of severe susceptibility artifact were apparent on the T2*W images that were not seen on standard T1W or T2W images. All nonhemorrhagic susceptibility artifact regions demonstrated compromised spectral quality on 3D MRS.

Conclusion:

The fast T2*W EPI sequence identifies hemorrhagic and nonhemorrhagic areas of susceptibility variation that may be helpful in prostate MRI planning at 3.0T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:902–907. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

MRI of oriental cholangiohepatitis

Oriental cholangiohepatitis (OCH) also called recurrent pyogenic cholangitis is characterized by intrahepatic duct calculi, strictures, and recurrent infections. In turn cholangitis can result in multiple hepatic abscesses, further biliary strictures, and in severe cases, progressive hepatic parenchymal destruction, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and conventional T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings have been described in patients with OCH. MRCP findings include duct dilation, strictures, and calculi. MRCP can help to localize the diseased ducts and determine the severity of involvement. T1 and T2W sequences reveal the parenchymal changes of atrophy, abscess formation, and portal hypertension in addition to calculi. Post-treatment changes are also well depicted using MRI. Comprehensive, non-invasive assessment is achieved by using conventional MRI and MRCP in OCH providing a roadmap for endoscopic or surgical management.     

Effects of lipiodol retention on MRI signal intensity from hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding liver treated by chemoembolization

Opinion is divided regarding the influence of iodized oil on MRI signal intensity of hepatic tumours treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), in which lipiodol deposits. The aim of our study was to ascertain whether or not lipiodol directly influences the MRI signal intensity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by TACE and that of the surrounding liver. Thirteen patients with HCC were studied retrospectively. CT and MRI scans were performed both before and 3 months after TACE. The CT scan was performed to check whether embolized nodules contained lipiodol and how lipiodol was distributed within them. In addition, eight patients were examined prospectively within 7 days after TACE. In these patients a CT scan was performed to see how lipiodol was distributed in the neoplastic nodules and in normal hepatic parenchyma. In the first group of patients the contrast-to-noise (C/N) ratio on T1-weighted (T1W) images and the T2 relaxation time on T2-weighted (T2W) images were calculated for both neoplasm and surrounding liver. In the second group of patients we also measured the signal intensity of non-neoplastic liver that was either permeated or not permeated by lipiodol. The data were analysed with Wilcoxon's test. On T1W images we observed that the retention of lipiodol increased the C/N ratio in all the tumours studied within 1 week after TACE. In the patients studied 3 months after TACE the C/N ratio was not significantly increased. On T2W images lipiodol retention did not change tumour signal intensity. The iodized oil did not change the signal intensity of the liver surrounding the tumour, in comparison with the liver not permeated by lipiodol, on either T1W or T2W images. The results indicate that lipiodol does not modify the signal intensity in non-neoplastic hepatic parenchyma in which it is deposited; after 3 months it does not significantly affect the signal of the tumours that accumulated it. Lipiodol produces a high signal on T1W images over the first few days following TACE in those tumours in which it is deposited. Received 21 June 1995; Revision received 22 January 1996; Accepted 24 January 1996     

Hepatic vascular flow measurements by phase contrast MRI and doppler echography: A comparative and reproducibility study

Purpose:

To directly compare and study the variability of parameters related to hepatic blood flow measurements using 3 T phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC‐MRI) and Doppler ultrasound (US).

Materials and Methods:

Nine healthy subjects were studied. Blood velocities and flow rate measurements were performed in the portal vein and the proper hepatic artery. MR studies were performed using a 3 T imager. Gradient‐echo fast phase contrast sequences were used with both cardiac and respiratory gating. MR and Doppler flow parameters were extracted and compared. Two methods of calculation were used for Doppler flow rate analysis.

Results:

Compared to Doppler US, PC‐MRI largely underestimated hepatic flow data with lower variability and higher reproducibility. This reproducibility was more pronounced in the portal vein than in the proper hepatic artery associated with poorer velocity correlations. Total hepatic flow values were 1239 ± 223 mL/min and 1595 ± 521 mL/min for PC‐MRI and Doppler US, respectively.

Conclusion:

Free‐breathing PC‐MRI can provide reliable noninvasive measurement of hepatic flow parameters compared to Doppler US. The MR technique could help to improve Doppler flow calculations, thereby allowing standardization of protocols, particularly for applications in disease. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:579–588. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.