The value of the signal intensity of peritumoral tissue on Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MRI in assessment of microvascular invasion and pathological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of the study was to assess the potential role of preoperative gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) dynamic enhanced MR imaging for diagnosing microvascular invasion (MVI) and pathological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).A total of 113 consecutive HCC patients confirmed by histopathology underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MRI were included. Signal intensity (SI) of peritumoral, normal liver tissue and tumor parenchyma during arterial phase and hepatobiliary phase (HBP) were analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to assess the potential diagnostic capability for MVI and pathological grade of HCC. Kaplan–Meier method was performed to estimate the recurrence-free survival rate and compared using the log rank test.SI ratio of peritumoral tissue to normal liver in arterial phase (SI_Ap/Al) was independently associated with MVI [odds ratio (OR) = 3.115, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.867–5.198] and pathological grades (OR = 1.437, 95% CI: 1.042–1.981). The area under the curve (AUC) of SI_Ap/Al was equivalent to the SI of tumor parenchyma on arterial phase (SI_At) in distinguishing low and high pathological grades. However, the AUC of SI_Ap/Al (0.851) was larger than peritumoral hypointensity on HBP (0.668) for distinguishing MVI. The recurrence-free survival rate of HCC patients with SI_Ap/Al<1.1 was higher than HCC with SI_Ap/Al≥1.1(P = .025).The SI_Ap/Al in preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MR imaging is a potential diagnosis marker for MVI and pathological grade of HCC noninvasively. The higher SI_Ap/Al may predict the poor prognosis of HCC after surgery.     

2种磁共振对比剂动态增强扫描对肝内结节的鉴别诊断价值

目的：探讨钆喷酸葡胺(Gd-DTPA)及钆塞酸二钠(Gd-EOB-DTPA)的磁共振动态增强扫描对肝脏结节的鉴别诊断价值。方法回顾性分析60例经 Gd-DTPA 及 Gd-EOB-DTPA 增强的肝内结节磁共振平扫、多时相动态增强扫描图像。结果所有入组病例经 Gd-DTPA 动态增强扫描后,19例患者诊断为原发性肝细胞癌,并经病理证实;8例确诊为肝转移瘤;18例诊断为肝内良性结节,随访3~6个月结节大小无明显变化。15例鉴别诊断困难的患者行 Gd-EOB-DTPA 多时相动态增强扫描,4例动脉期明显强化,门脉期强化程度迅速下降,平衡期轻度强化,肝特异性期与正常肝实质比较呈等信号,后证实为肝腺瘤;7例动脉期轻到中度强化,门脉期强化程度下降,平衡期强化不明显,肝特异性期与正常肝实质比较呈低信号,经随访或病理确诊为肝细胞癌;3例动脉期表现为轻度强化,门脉期及平衡期略强化,肝特异性期与正常肝实质比较呈低信号,根据其病史诊断为转移瘤;1例动脉期病变周边明显强化,门脉期强化程度迅速下降,平衡期轻度强化,肝特异性期与正常肝实质比较呈等信号,病变中心始终呈低信号,经复查诊断为肝良性病变。结论Gd-DTPA 动态增强 MRI 扫描对诊断肝内结节性病灶具有重要作用,Gd-EOB-DTPA 在鉴别结节的良恶性方面具有较大优势。     

T2WI、DWI及Gd-EOB-DTPA增强扫描独立序列对结直肠癌肝转移瘤检出率的比较

目的 比较T2WI、DWI及Gd-EOB-DTPA增强扫描单独序列对结直肠癌肝转移瘤的检出效能。方法 选取31例结直肠癌肝转移患者,均行MR检查,包括T2WI/FS、DWI、Gd-EOB-DTPA常规动态增强(MR-Dyn)和肝细胞期(MR-Late)扫描。由2名医师共同阅片,对每组影像图像进行单独分析。记录所有检出病灶所在层面、肝段、与肝脏边缘的距离及病变大小。以手术病理、术中超声及治疗前后影像图像的综合评价作为金标准。采用配对McNemar检验比较各序列对肝转移瘤的检出率。结果 31例患者中,共检出156个肝转移瘤,大小0.3~7.3 cm,≤0.5 cm、0.6~1.0 cm、1.1~2.0 cm 和>2.0 cm 分别为 20、52、50和34个。对肝转移瘤的总体检出率,T2WI/FS、DWI、MR-Dyn和MR-Late分别为84.62%(132/156)、87.18%(136/156)、67.31%(105/156)和93.59%(146/156)。MR-Late对肝转移瘤的总体检出率明显高于T2WI /FS(P=0.020)和 MR-Dyn (P<0.001),与DWI的差异无统计学意义(P=0.064)。对≤0.5 cm肝转移瘤,T2WI/FS、DWI、MR-Dyn和MR-Late的检出率分别为30.00%(6/20)、65.00%、(13/20)25.00%(5/20)和85.00%(17/20),MR-Late检出率明显高于T2WI/FS(P=0.013)和MR-Dyn(P<0.001),与DWI的差异无统计学意义(P=0.219)。对0.6~1.0 cm肝转移瘤,T2WI/FS, DWI和MR-Late检出率分别为88.46%(46/52)、88.46%(46/52)和86.54%(45/52),均明显高于MR-Dyn(26/52,50.00%)。而对于>1.0 cm的肝转移瘤,所有序列检出率的差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。结论 Gd-EOB-DTPA增强扫描对结直肠癌肝转移的检出率高,尤其有助于提高≤0.5 cm的肝转移瘤病灶检出率。     

Estimation of liver function using T2* mapping on gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose

To investigate the usefulness of T2* mapping of liver on gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI for estimating liver function.

Materials and methods

33 patients were classified into 3 groups as follows: normal liver function (NLF) (n = 7); mild liver damage (MLD) (n = 16) with Child-Pugh A; severe liver damage (SLD) (n = 10) with Child-Pugh B. T2*-weighted gradient-echo (T2*W-GRE) and T1-weighted gradient-echo (T1W-GRE) images were obtained before and after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration (3, 8, 13, and 18 min; 5, 10,15, and 20 min; respectively). T2* mapping of liver was calculated from T2*W-GRE, then T2* values of liver and T2* reduction rates of T2* value between pre- and post-contrast enhancement were measured. The increase rates of liver-to-muscle signal intensity (LMS) ratio on T1W-GRE between pre- and post-contrast enhancement were calculated.

Results

T2* values on pre- and post-contrast showed no significant differences among three groups. Significant differences in T2* reduction rates were found among groups, and those of LCB were lower than those of other groups (NLF:MLD:SLD, 3.8:6.0:0.6% at 3 min, 8.2:10.3:1.0% at 8 min, 10.7:11.5:1.2% at 13 min, and 16.1:13.2:3.5% at 18 min, respectively) (P < 0.05). Significant differences in increase rates of LMS ratio on T1W-GRE were identified (NLF:MLD:SLD, 1.53:1.46:1.35 at 5 min, 1.68:1.64:1.37 at 10 min, 1.79:1.76:1.44 at 15 min, and 1.89:1.78:1.49 at 20 min, respectively).

Conclusion

T2* reduction rate and increase rate of LMS ratio on T1W-GRE may allow us estimation of liver function according to Child-Pugh score.     

Quantitative analysis of liver function using superparamagnetic iron oxide- and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI: comparison with Technetium-99m galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy

Purpose

To examine whether or not the parameters regarding the signal intensity of the liver parenchyma on superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)- and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI are correlated with the parameters of Technetium-99m galactosyl serum albumin (^99mTc-GSA) scintigraphy.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study consisted of 55 and 33 patients who underwent SPIO- and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in addition to ^99mTc-GSA scintigraphy, respectively. For each patient, we calculated Pre R2* and Pre R2, which are equivalent to R2* (=1/T2*) and R2 (=1/T2) values of the liver parenchyma; ΔR2* and ΔR2, which represent differences in R2* and R2 values of the liver parenchyma before and after administration of SPIO; and the increase rates of both the liver-to-spleen signal intensity ratio (LSR) and the liver-to-major psoas muscle signal intensity ratio (LMR) on the hepatobiliary phase compared with the precontrast image. For ^99mTc-GSA scintigraphy, the receptor index LHL15 and the blood clearance index HH15 were recorded.

Results

Regression analysis showed a moderate correlation between Pre R2* and LHL15 (P < 0.05). Mild to moderate correlations were also obtained between any combination of ΔR2* and ΔR2 on the one hand, and LHL15 and HH15 on the other (P < 0.05). There were moderate correlations between any combination of increase rates of LSR and LMR on the one hand, and LHL15 and HH15 on the other (P < 0.05–0.001).

Conclusion

Pre R2*, ΔR2*, ΔR2 and the increase rates of LSR and LMR could be used as quantitative indicators of liver function.     

钆塞酸二钠增强MRI检查在肝癌术前评估中的应用

Hepatic tumor-specific magnetic resonance (MR) enhancement with Gd-EOB-DTPA can detect and distinguish small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with greater sensitivity than conventional magnetic resonance...     

Assessing Liver Function by T1 Maps on Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI for up to 50 Min in Rat Models of Liver Fibrosis: A Longer Hepatobiliary Time Period may Help

Objectives To investigate whether a longer time period of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepen- taacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced T1 mapping scanning, as well as dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) and multiple hepatobiliary phase magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have the potential to provide information about liver function in rats with liver fibrosis. Methods Forty rats were divided into the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury groups [carbon tetrachloride for four (n=14), eight (n=8), or twelve (n=8) weeks] and the control group (n=10). Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI was performed including T1-mapping (delayed to 50 min), DCE, and multiple hepatobiliary phases. Indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICG-R15) was determined. Parameters such as T1 reduction rate (ΔT1), elimination half-life of ΔT1 (TΔT11/2), relative enhancement (RE), time to maximum RE (Tmax), and perfusion parameters were calculated. Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis between ICG-R15 and each MRI indices. Results ΔT1 at 30, 40, and 50 min showed significant positive correlations with ICG-R15 (r=0.784, 0.653, 0.757, P=0.007, 0.041, 0.030). TΔT11/2 showed a significant positive correlation with ICG-R15 (r=0.685, P=0.029). Tmax showed a significant positive correlation with ICG-R15 (r=0.532, P=0.019). Conclusions ΔT1 in the late hepatobiliary phase and TΔT11/2 exhibited moderate correlations with liver function. The longer time period of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1 mapping scanning, as well as DCE and multiple hepatobiliary phases, may be of some value for estimating liver function in rats with liver fibrosis.     

Expression of OATP1B3 determines uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background  Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is an MRI contrast agent with perfusion and hepatoselective properties. The purpose of the study was to examine uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA in the hepatobiliary phase in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods  A retrospective analysis of 22 patients with HCC who underwent preoperative Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI was performed. Enhancement ratios (ERs) and expression levels of the organic anion transporter (OATP) 1B3 protein were examined. Results  Gd-EOB-DTPA accumulated in the hepatobiliary phase in 6 of the 22 cases. All 6 Gd-EOB-DTPA-positive cases were moderately differentiated HCC, but 11 other moderately differentiated HCCs did not show Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake. Histopathologically, 4 Gd-EOB-DTPA-positive HCCs and 5 Gd-EOB-DTPA-negative HCCs produced bile. HCCs with Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake overexpressed OATP1B3 compared with HCCs without Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake, and OATP1B3 levels were significantly correlated with ERs (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001). Conclusions  Uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA in HCC is determined by expression of OATP1B3 rather than by tumor differentiation or bile production.     

Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI预测肝细胞癌CK19表达

【目的】探讨术前Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI影像特征在预测肝细胞癌细胞角蛋白19（CK19）表达中的价值。【方法】回顾性分析经手术后病理证实单发肝细胞癌（HCC）102例患者术前Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI资料,其中男94例,女8例。102例中CK19阳性25例,CK19阴性77例。所有的患者术前均行Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI检查,分析其影像征象,包括病变的大小、边缘、增强扫描动脉期瘤内血管、动脉期信号、增强方式、动脉期瘤周异常灌注、囊变坏死、出血、脂肪、包膜、脉管侵犯、淋巴结转移、门脉期/延迟期分隔、弥散加权成像（DWI）靶征、肝胆期（HBP）瘤周低信号、HBP靶征、T1值及T1降低率等;并分析这些征象与CK19表达的相关性。【结果】动脉期信号（P=0.013）、动脉期环形强化（P=0.018）、DWI靶征（P=0.001）、HBP靶征（P=0.005）与肝细胞癌CK19的表达密切相关。小于5cm的单发HCC出现延迟强化的分隔与CK19表达有相关性（P=0.042）。其中DWI靶征是肝细胞癌CK19表达阳性的独立危险因素（P=0.001,OR=4.875,95%CI：1.838~12.927）。【结论】术前Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI有助于预测HCC的CK19表达。     

Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI对Oddi括约肌及胆囊管功能的动态评估

目的:探讨正常志愿者行Gd-EOB-DTPA动态增强MRI中,Gd-EOB-DTPA在十二指肠内及胆囊内显影的时间,为胆道系统功能障碍疾病的诊断提供依据.方法:前瞻性纳入30例行Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI增强扫描的志愿者,于注射对比剂后第5～90 min内连续动态扫描.扫描时间点分别为第5～30 min内每间隔1 min、第30～60min内每间隔5 min、第60～90 min内每间隔10 min采集一次图像.由2位放射科医生对图像进行共同评估,记录对比剂分别进入十二指肠及胆囊的时间.结果:Gd-EOBDTPA进入十二指肠的平均时间为(30±23) min,其中注射Gd-EOB-DTPA延迟扫描20 min时,对比剂进入十二指肠者所占比例为50.0％(15/30);延迟30 min时所占比例为70.0％(21/30);延迟60 min时所占比例为90.0％(27/30).对比剂进入胆囊的中位时间为10 min(6～29 min),其中注射Gd-EOB-DTPA延迟扫描15 min时,对比剂进入胆囊者所占比例为83.3％(25/30);延迟20 min时所占比例为93.3％(28/30);延迟30 min时所占比例为100％(30/30).对比剂进入十二指肠及胆囊时间与年龄无关(P＞0.05).结论:正常人行Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI增强扫描中,对比剂通过十二指肠乳头进入十二指肠的时间＜60 min,而通过胆囊管进入胆囊的时间＜30 min,此时间不仅可为Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI增强检查扫描时间方案的制定提供指导,同时可为临床上怀疑Oddi括约肌功能障碍或急性胆囊炎的排除诊断提供依据.