超顺磁性氧化铁在肝脏局灶性病变中的定性研究

目的 探讨超顺磁性氧化铁（SPIO）增强MRI在肝脏局灶性病变的定性能力。材料与方法 43例怀疑肝占位者经常规MRI和Gd-DTPA增强后1－7后,行SPIO增强检查。其中31例经手术病理证实,12例经随访、实验室生化检查及临床资料证实。分析平扫MRI及SPIO增强后病灶的信号变化,并与Gd-DTPA动态增强结果相对照。结果 43例共12种病变、单发病灶21例,多病灶22例。包括原发性肝细胞肝癌22例,血管瘤5例,囊肿4例,转移性肝癌5例,肝硬化结节4例,局灶性结节增生（FNH）5例,其他病变6例。22例多发病灶中有8例合并1或2种病变。SPIO增强后,肝细胞肝癌T1WI为等或略高信号,T2WI为较高信号;血管瘤T1WI为较高信号,T2WI信号同平扫为高信号;囊肿T1WI、T2WI信号无改变;肝硬化结节T2WI为等信号同正常肝实质;FNH T2WI信号明显下降。其余病变的诊断SPIO增强不具有特征性,须与Gd-DTPA动态增强相结合。结论 SPIO具有一定的定性能力Gd-DTPA增强相结合,可帮助提高肝局灶性病变诊断和鉴别诊断的准确性。     

肝脏孤立性坏死结节的MRI表现

目的 总结肝脏孤立性坏死结节(SNN)平扫和动态增强MRI特征性表现.方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的15例SNN的MRI征象,对病灶数目、形状、大小、部位、边界、平扫和增强后信号及强化方式进行评价.结果 病灶单发14例,另1例有2个病灶.平扫T1WI及T2WI各发现15和14个病灶,增强扫描发现16个病灶.14个病灶最大径≤3 cm.平扫T1WI病灶呈低信号5个,略低信号9个,1个呈等信号伴有周边低信号包膜及内部点状低信号.在T2WI病灶呈高信号5个,略高信号4个,略低信号3个,明显低信号2个,其中2个病灶内见点状或细线样极高信号.16例在增强扫描后各期均呈低信号,尤其在门静脉期及延迟期呈明显低信号,边界及形态显示清楚.12个病灶形状不规则,4个病灶呈圆形或卵圆形.增强后病灶内部均未见强化,3个病灶在门静脉期及延迟期可见细环状轻度强化的包膜.结论 SNN特征性MRI表现有助于与肝脏其他肿瘤鉴别.     

Pyogenic liver abscess: contrast-enhanced MR imaging in rats

MR imaging was used to evaluate experimentally induced pyogenic liver abscesses in an animal model. Rats were examined before and after IV administration of either gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA), ferrite particles, or both contrast agents together. Pyogenic liver abscesses appeared hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Bolus administration of Gd-DTPA using a fast spin-echo sequence with repetition time of 250 msec and echo time of 20 msec (SE 250/20) showed transient selective enhancement of normal hepatic tissue and increased lesion conspicuity, quantitatively assessed by the contrast-to-noise ratio, which increased from -35.7 to -59.0. Delayed leakage of Gd-DTPA into the abscess center partially obscured small lesions at 30-60 min. Ferrite particles reduced the signal intensity of normal liver, and the abscess then appeared homogenously hyperintense. Applying the SE 500/32 sequence, the contrast-to-noise ratio increased from -1.2 to +74.0. Coordinated administration of both contrast agents showed a further increase in contrast to +94.0, with a hyperintense abscess rim surrounded by hypointense liver. Gd-DTPA increases abscess-liver contrast by rim enhancement of the abscess wall, and ferrite increases the abscess-liver contrast by selectively decreasing the signal intensity of surrounding normal liver. As a result of increased contrast-to-noise ratio, both contrast agents, alone or in combination, increase the conspicuity of hepatic abscesses.     

Focal nodular hyperplasia: morphologic and functional information from MR imaging with gadobenate dimeglumine.

PURPOSE: To determine whether gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA) is able to provide morphologic and functional information for characterization of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with proved FNH were retrospectively examined. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with T2-weighted turbo spin-echo and T1-weighted gradient-echo sequences was performed. Images were acquired prior to and during the dynamic phase of contrast-material enhancement and 1-3 hours after administration of 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-BOPTA. Qualitative analysis of signal intensity and homogeneity on images in the various phases of the MR study and examination for the presence of central scar or atypical features were performed. On the basis of features observed in the precontrast and dynamic phases, lesions were defined as typical or atypical. Intensity and enhancement patterns of the lesions and scars were also evaluated in the delayed phase. RESULTS: One hundred FNHs were depicted on MR images. Seventy-nine of 100 lesions demonstrated typical morphologic and enhancement characteristics. On delayed phase images, 72% of 100 FNHs appeared hyperintense; 21%, isointense; and 7%, slightly hypointense. The delayed pattern of enhancement was homogeneous, heterogeneous, and peripheral in 58%, 22%, and 20% of 100 FNHs, respectively. Atypical morphologic features and lesion and/or scar enhancement were observed in 21 of 100 FNHs. On delayed phase images, 76% of 100 atypical FNHs appeared hyperintense, 14% isointense, and 10% slightly hypointense. Hyperintensity and isointensity allowed the correct characterization in 90% of atypical FNHs. CONCLUSION: Gd-BOPTA during both dynamic and delayed phases provides morphologic and functional information for the characterization of FNH.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic focal lesions: dynamic contrastographic evaluation with gadolinium versus reticulo-endothelial hepato-specific contrast media

PURPOSE: To compare the potentials of AMI-25 (Endoren) to those of Gadolinium with the dynamic contrast-enhanced technique in the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty patients with at least one focal liver lesion diagnosed at US underwent MRI. We used a 1.5 T unit and employed single-shot half-Fourier T2-weighted FSE and spoiled gradient-echo T1-weighted sequences before and after Gadolinium injection. Multiple acquisitions were obtained during the arterial, portal and delayed phases. Twenty-four to 48 hours later T2*-weighted GRE and SPGR/90 degrees sequences were obtained after AMI-25 administration. In the characterization of solid lesions the gold standard was biopsy performed with a shearing needle; for the diagnosis of angiomas and of 11 metastatic lesions we considered follow-up and clinical data as important diagnostic elements. RESULTS: We found 12 hepatocarcinomas, 14 metastases, 4 cases of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), 4 adenomas and 6 angiomas. The diagnosis was correct and confirmed by the conventional examination in all cases but 2 adenomatous lesions and 2 angiomas. Precontrast studies showed slight hyperintensity in 2 of 4 cases of FNH, while the other 2 lesions appeared isointense and were therefore detected only on postcontrast images, where there was contrast agent uptake during the arterial phase and rapid washout. We found only one central scar hyperintense on T2- and hypointense on T1-weighted images. After AMI-25 administration all lesions appeared isointense to surrounding parenchyma on T2* GRE sequences. Adenomas were isointense in the precontrast phase and postcontrast 3 of them showed strong Gadolinium uptake and rapid washout. After AMI-25 two of the 4 lesions were hyperintense while the other two were isointense to the parenchyma. Four of 6 angiomas exhibited a typical pattern characterized by signal hyperintensity on T2-weighted sequences and on AMI-25-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Two angiomas were supposed to be of malignant nature but histology showed the presence of a strong fibrotic component. Hepatocarcinomas could be detected on precontrast images. After Gadolinium administration 10 lesions appeared hyperintense in the arterial phase and 2 were hypointense. After AMI-25 all lesions exhibited homogeneous signal hyperintensity and appeared slightly bigger than on Gadolinium-enhanced images. The metastases were only partly demonstrated by MRI. Postgadolinium studies showed 13 lesions with hyperintense signal in the portal phase. AMI-25 administration detected 14 lesions that appeared slightly bigger than on Gadolinium-enhanced images. CONCLUSIONS: AMI-25 can help also in characterizing primary lesions with an atypical signal pattern after contrast agent administration thanks to its intrinsic capability of accumulating in benign lesions. However it remains difficult to characterize well differentiated hepatocarcinomas and adenomas. Finally, AMI-25 improves MR capabilities in detecting secondary lesions and possible satellite nodules.     

MRI of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) with gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA) and SPIO (ferumoxides): an intra-individual comparison

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of two different MR contrast agents for the detection and diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with 83 FNH lesions detected on spiral CT were studied in two different MRI sessions with Gd-BOPTA (MultiHance) and ferumoxides (Endorem). MRI with Gd-BOPTA was performed precontrast (T1wGRE and T2wTSE sequences) and during the dynamic and late (1-3 hours) phases after injection (T1wGRE sequences only). MRI with ferumoxides (T1wGRE and T2wTSE sequences) was performed before and at least 30 minutes after injection. Hyper- or isointensity of FNH in the late phase was considered typical for Gd-BOPTA, while isointensity or lesion hypointensity was considered typical for ferumoxides. RESULTS: With Gd-BOPTA, 83 FNH lesions (100%) appeared hyperintense during the arterial phase of dynamic MRI. All but one lesion was iso- or slightly hyperintense in the portal-venous and equilibrium phases. In the late phase, 81 FNH lesions were hyper- or isointense to the surrounding parenchyma, with two lesions appearing slightly hypointense. With ferumoxides, a significant (P < 0.001) number (21/83, 25.3%) of FNH lesions (mean diameter = 16.8 +/- 6.6 mm) were not visible. Of the visible FNH lesions, 38/62 were slightly hyperintense, and 24/62 were isointense to the surrounding parenchyma on the T2wTSE images. On the T1wGRE images, 42/62 lesions were isointense, 19/62 were slightly hyperintense, and one lesion was slightly hypointense. Seventeen lesions in 12 patients with previous neoplasia were all detected after Gd-BOPTA administration, whereas only nine of these 17 lesions (52.9%) were detected after ferumoxide administration. Two of these nine lesions showed atypical enhancement features. CONCLUSION: Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI is significantly better than ferumoxide-enhanced MRI for the identification and characterization of FNH.     

MR imaging of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia: characterization and distinction from primary malignant hepatic tumors

Spin-echo MR imaging at 0.35 T was used to image hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and to attempt to distinguish it from primary malignant hepatic tumors. There were six FNH and 10 malignant tumors including seven hepatocellular carcinomas, two cholangiocarcinomas, and one hepatoblastoma. Our results show that FNH has a fairly consistent appearance, dissimilar from that of malignant primary hepatic tumors. Four of six FNH lesions were isointense (except for a central scar in three) and indistinguishable from normal hepatic parenchyma on all pulse sequences, whereas two of six were homogeneous but slightly hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences. Furthermore, a central hyperintense scar was seen in three of six lesions on T2-weighted sequences. In contrast, each of the malignant primary hepatic tumors was hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences and seven of 10 were hypointense on T1-weighted sequences; in nine of 10, heterogeneous areas of intensity were noted. In two fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinomas a central scar was seen that was hypointense on all pulse sequences. By using quantitative data, the best characterization was obtained by using lesion/normal-liver intensity ratios from a T2-weighted sequence; all FNH had a ratio less than 1.33, while in nine of 10 primary malignant tumors it was greater than 1.41. We conclude that focal nodular hyperplasia may have a consistent appearance on spin-echo MR imaging and probably can be distinguished from primary malignant lesions in most instances.     

Atypical focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: imaging features of nonspecific and liver-specific MR contrast agents

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe the functional and differential uptake features of atypical focal nodular hyperplasia using different MR contrast agents and to evaluate their potential role in the diagnosis and characterization of focal nodular hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast-enhanced MR images of 45 patients with 85 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions were retrospectively reviewed. In these patients, sonographic findings were nonspecific (n = 37), or CT features were inconclusive (n = 8). Non-liver specific gadolinium chelates were used in 18 patients (48 lesions) suspected of having either focal nodular hyperplasia or hemangioma. The following liver-specific agents were used in patients with suspected focal nodular hyperplasia or metastases: mangafodipir trisodium, 30 patients (55 lesions); ferumoxides, six patients (16 lesions); and SHU 555 A, six patients (six lesions). Individual lesions were quantified by signal intensity and assessed qualitatively by homogeneity, contrast enhancement, and presence of a central scar. RESULTS: At unenhanced MR imaging, the triad of homogeneity, isointensity, and central scar was found in 22% of the focal nodular hyperplasia lesions. On mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced T1-weighted images, all focal nodular hyperplasia lesions showed contrast uptake: in 64% of the lesions, uptake was equal to parenchyma; 25%, greater than the parenchyma; and 11%, less than the parenchyma. On iron oxide-enhanced T2-weighted images, all focal nodular hyperplasia lesions showed uptake of the contrast agent, but contrast uptake in the lesions was less than in the surrounding parenchyma. Dynamic gadolinium chelate-enhanced MR imaging showed early and vigorous enhancement of focal nodular hyperplasia lesions with rapid washout in 88%. Atypical imaging features of the lesions included hyperintensity on T1-weighted images, necrosis and hemorrhage, and inhomogeneous or only minimal contrast uptake. CONCLUSION: For patients in whom the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia cannot be established on unenhanced or gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging, homogeneous uptake of liver-specific contrast agent with better delineation of central scar may help to make a confident diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia.     

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: MR findings in 35 proved cases

MR images of 28 patients with 35 lesions of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia were reviewed to determine the frequency of findings considered typical of this condition (isointensity on T1- and T2-weighted pulse sequences, a central hyperintense scar on T2-weighted images, and homogeneous signal intensity). Fifteen lesions were imaged at 0.6 T with T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) pulse sequences; 20 lesions were imaged at 1.5 T with T1-weighted SE and gradient-echo pulse sequences and T2-weighted SE pulse sequences. Diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia was made pathologically in 25 patients, with nuclear scintigraphy in four, and with follow-up imaging in six. Only seven lesions (20%) were isointense relative to normal liver on both T1- and T2-weighted images. On T1-weighted SE images, 21 lesions (60%) were isointense relative to normal liver, 12 (34%) were hypointense, and two (6%) were hyperintense. On T2-weighted SE images, 12 lesions (34%) were isointense and 23 (66%) were hyperintense relative to normal liver. A central scar was present in 17 lesions (49%) and was hypointense relative to the lesion on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Twenty lesions (57%) were of homogeneous signal intensity throughout the lesion, except for the presence of a central scar. All three MR imaging characteristics were present in three cases (9%). We conclude that hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia has a wide range of signal intensity on MR imaging.     

Central scars in primary liver tumors: MR features, specificity, and pathologic correlation

Tumor scars were identified at pathologic study and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in ten of 17 (59%) primary liver tumors (nine hepatocellular carcinomas, four giant hemangiomas, two hepatic adenomas, and two cases of focal nodular hyperplasia). Histopathologic examination revealed three types of scar tissue. Inflammatory scars (n = 4), with edema, necrosis, hypercellularity, and loose fibrous tissue, appeared hypointense relative to liver on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. Vascular scars (n = 3), predominantly composed of vascular channels traversing collagenous tissue, showed MR features similar to those of inflammatory scars. Collagenous scars (n = 3) appeared hypointense relative to liver on both T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. Central tumor scars are a frequent but nonspecific feature of both benign and malignant primary liver tumors.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis: enhancement patterns at dynamic gadolinium- and superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare intraindividual differences in enhancement patterns between gadolinium- and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with histologically proved hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Twenty-two patients (18 men, four women; mean age, 58.9 years) with 36 pathologically proved HCC lesions underwent contrast material-enhanced dynamic T1-weighted gradient-echo MR imaging twice. Gadopentetate dimeglumine was used at the first session. After a mean interval of 5 days, a second session was performed with a bolus-injectable SPIO agent, ferucarbotran. Qualitative analysis of contrast enhancement patterns with each agent during hepatic arterial, portal venous, and equilibrium phases was performed by two readers who classified lesions as isointense, hypointense, or hyperintense compared with surrounding liver parenchyma and searched for presence of hyperintense peritumoral ring enhancement. Results of signal intensity analysis during different vascular phases at both sessions were compared by using the McNemar test, and kappa statistic was used to evaluate agreement between signal intensity and enhancement pattern of lesions during different vascular phases. RESULTS: On gadolinium-enhanced hepatic arterial phase images, HCC lesions (n = 36) were hyperintense in 21 (58%) cases, hypointense in 10 (28%), and isointense in five (14%). On ferucarbotran-enhanced hepatic arterial phase images, HCC lesions were isointense in 18 (50%) cases, hypointense in 11 (31%), and hyperintense in seven (19%). On gadolinium-enhanced portal venous and equilibrium phase images, respectively, HCC lesions were hypointense in 17 (47%) and 21 (58%) cases, hyperintense in 10 (28%) cases and one (3%) case, and isointense in nine (25%) and 14 (39%) cases. On ferucarbotran-enhanced portal venous and equilibrium phase images, respectively, HCC lesions were hypointense in 15 (42%) and 11 (31%) cases, hyperintense in three (8%) and three (8%) cases, and isointense in 18 (50%) and 22 (61%) cases. CONCLUSION: For HCC, contrast enhancement pattern on T1-weighted gradient-echo MR images shows marked variability with gadolinium or SPIO contrast agents.     

脑实质内海绵状血管瘤MRI表现

目的分析脑实质内海绵状血管瘤的MRI表现，提高本病的诊断水平。方法回顾分析18例经临床及手术病理证实脑实质内海绵状血管瘤的MRI影像表现。结果18例共26个病灶，表现为T1WI等信号、高信号、混杂信号或环状高信号，T2WI低信号、均匀高信号或环状高信号，周围可见低信号环；大部分病灶无占位效应及周围水肿，所有病灶在梯度回波（GRE）序列上均可见到病灶边缘低信号环；Gd—DTPA增强扫描部分病灶强化。结论海绵状血管瘤MRI表现较为特异，MRI检查是诊断脑实质内海绵状血管瘤最为敏感的方法。     

MR findings in eosinophilic infiltration of the liver

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of focal eosinophilic infiltration of the liver. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced MR images of 8 patients with focal hepatic eosinophilic infiltration were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the signal intensity of focal lesions in T1-weighted and T2-weighted images and the pattern of enhancement in a dynamic contrast study. RESULTS: A total 22 focal hepatic lesions were observed; the lesions were isointense (55%) or hypointense (45%) on T1-weighted images and isointense (14%) or hyperintense (86%) on T2-weighted images. The arterial phase of the contrast study revealed 11 hyperintense lesions (50%). During the portal and delayed phases, 18 (82%) and 17 lesions (77%) were hyperintense, respectively. CONCLUSION: The focal eosinophilic infiltrations showed homogeneous enhancement in the portal and delayed phases in the dynamic contrast MR study. These findings should help to distinguish focal eosinophilic infiltration, especially from metastasis in patients with malignancy.     

MRI诊断含脂质肝脏肿瘤的价值

目的:评估MRI诊断含脂质肝脏肿瘤的价值.材料和方法:回顾性分析34例含脂质肝脏肿瘤的MRI表现和术前或穿刺前诊断,并与病理对照.结果:T1WI 32例呈高信号、2例低信号,T2WI 32例呈高信号、1例等信号、1例低信号.用脂肪抑制后,15例肝细胞癌(HCC)、7例血管平滑肌脂肪瘤(HAML)、1例肝腺瘤和1个局灶结节性增生(FNH)T1WI的高信号完全消失,1例不典型腺瘤样增生结节局灶癌变和1例HAML出血囊变T1WI 高信号大部分消失,6例肝腺瘤和1个FNH病灶T1WI高信号无变化 .26例血供丰富,4例血供不丰富.14例HCC、2例腺瘤、7例HAML和1例FNH诊断正确,2例HAML诊断为良性肿瘤.结论:MRI能显示含脂质肝脏肿瘤的特征性表现,并正确诊断多数这类肿瘤.     

MRI of atypical focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: radiology-pathology correlation

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the MRI features of atypical focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver and to compare them to pathology findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MRI and pathology findings in 27 focal nodular hyperplasia lesions with atypical MRI features. Six criteria for typical focal nodular hyperplasia were required: iso- or hypointensity on T1-weighted sequences and iso- or slight hyperintensity on T2-weighted sequences; homogeneous signal intensity; central hyperintense area on T2-weighted sequences; marked lesion contrast enhancement; accumulation of gadolinium chelates within the central area on delayed contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences; and absence of capsule. RESULTS: The most common atypical radiology features included absence of, or an atypical, stellate area; heterogeneity on both T1- and T2-weighted images; and high-intensity signal on T1-weighted sequences. MRI-pathology correlation showed that T1 hyperintensity with no other atypical MRI feature (n = 3) could be explained by steatosis, sinusoidal dilatation, or hemorrhage. In addition, in two patients with lesions smaller than 3 cm in diameter, the only atypical MRI feature was absence of a stellate area. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a lesion that is hyperintense on T1-weighted sequences or that lacks a stellate area but is smaller than 3 cm in diameter can be diagnosed as focal nodular hyperplasia provided all other MRI criteria for this diagnosis are present. In such cases, close monitoring on MRI without invasive diagnostic procedures may be warranted. However, in large lesions (> 3 cm) without a stellate area and in lesions with heterogeneity, histopathology examination is mandatory to rule out other diagnoses.     

Focal nodular hyperplasia: intraindividual comparison of dynamic gadobenate dimeglumine- and ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

PURPOSE: To intraindividually compare the enhancement pattern of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) after dynamic administration of two bolus-injectable liver-specific MR contrast agents, ferucarbotran and gadobenate dimeglumine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 patients with 24 FNHs underwent gadobenate dimeglumine- and ferucarbotran-enhanced MRI during the hepatic arterial-dominant phase (HAP; 25 seconds), the portal-venous phase (PVP; 60 seconds), and the equilibrium phase (EP; 180 seconds). Hepatospecific phases were acquired on T1-weighted images 120 minutes after gadobenate dimeglumine administration, and on T2-weighted images 10 minutes after ferucarbotran administration. Lesion enhancement was independently analyzed by two observers. The kappa statistic was determined to evaluate the agreement between the enhancement patterns of the lesions. RESULTS: On gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR images during HAP, PVP, and EP, FNHs were: hyperintense (24/20/13); isointense (0/4/11); and hypointense (0/0/0). On ferucarbotran-enhanced MR images during HAP, PVP, and EP, FNHs were: hyperintense (2/0/0); isointense (16/9/14); and hypointense (6/15/10). Overall, poor agreement between both contrast agents was observed. During the hepatospecific phases, most (20/24; 83%) FNHs showed a typical enhancement pattern during the delayed hepatospecific phase. CONCLUSION: The dynamic enhancement pattern of FNHs is significantly different between gadobenate dimeglumine- and ferucarbotran-enhanced MRI. With respect to hepatospecific phase, the majority of FNHs showed a typical behavior on both contrast agents.     

US characterization of focal hepatic lesions with intermittent high-acoustic-power mode and contrast material

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine whether ultrasound (US) performed with SonoVue, a contrast agent that contains microbubbles filled with sulfur hexafluoride vapor, depicts differential patterns of contrast enhancement in focal hepatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty focal hepatic lesions (15 hepatocellular carcinomas [HCCs], 10 metastases, 11 hemangiomas, and four focal nodular hyperplasias) in 39 patients were evaluated by means of US, color Doppler US, and contrast-enhanced US performed by using intermittent high-acoustic-power mode. Contrast-enhanced helical computed tomography (11 patients) and US-guided fine needle aspiration (28 patients) were used as reference procedures. Contrast enhancement patterns were defined by means of both subjective and objective analysis, and baseline and contrast-enhanced US scans were reviewed offline. RESULTS: Thirteen of 15 HCCs, eight of 10 metastases, and all four hemangiomas with an atypical pattern at baseline US were correctly characterized after SonoVue injection. Two of 15 HCCs and two of 10 metastases remained indeterminate, with no characteristic baseline or contrast-enhanced patterns identified. Baseline US was essential in characterizing all hemangiomas with a typical pattern (n = 7), and color Doppler US with spectral analysis of tumoral vessels was essential in characterizing focal nodular hyperplasia. The percentage of diagnostic agreement with reference procedures was significantly increased (P < .001) for contrast-enhanced US compared with baseline US. CONCLUSION: Characteristic patterns of US contrast enhancement with SonoVue help in characterizing and differentiating focal hepatic lesions.     

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: MR imaging and pathologic correlation in 37 patients.

Thirty-seven patients with 48 lesions of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) underwent preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) examination and surgical resection. Sixteen lesions were imaged at 0.5 T with T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences; 32 lesions were imaged at 2 T with T1-and T2-weighted spin-echo and gradient-recalled-echo sequences. Contrast material-enhanced MR imaging was performed in 20 lesions. MR imaging failed to depict six tumors that were less than 3 cm in diameter. Typical appearance was present in 18 of the 42 (43%) lesions seen at MR. Atypical lesion features included no scar (n = 15), hypointense scar on T2-weighted images (n = 7), pseudocapsule (n = 6), strong hyperintense lesion on T2-weighted images (n = 3), diffuse hyperintensity on T1-weighted images (n = 3), and heterogeneous lesion (n = 1). Comparison between findings at MR imaging and at histopathologic examination was performed in 38 lesions: There was good correlation between presence and size of the scar on both examinations. In 13 of 20 (65%) of the hyperintense scars on T2-weighted images, edema was prominent, whereas in five of the seven (71%) hypointense scars on T2-weighted images, edema was absent or low.     

Characterization of focal hepatic lesions with ferumoxides-enhanced T2-weighted MR imaging

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging of focal hepatic lesions provides distinctive signal intensity and lesion-to-liver contrast changes for benign and malignant lesions, helping to further characterize and differentiate these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data analysis was performed on 70 patients, with previously identified focal hepatic lesions, who underwent MR imaging of the liver before and after IV administration of ferumoxides (10 micromol Fe/kg). Lesions analyzed with pathologically proven diagnoses included metastases (n = 40), hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 11), cholangiocarcinoma (n = 6), hemangioma (n = 4), focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 6), and hepatocellular adenoma (n = 3). Response variables measured and statistically compared included the percentage of signal-intensity change and lesion-to-liver contrast. RESULTS: Focal nodular hyperplasia showed significant signal intensity loss on ferumoxides-enhanced T2-weighted images (mean, -43%+/-6.7%, p < 0.01). All other lesion groups showed no statistically significant change in signal intensity on ferumoxides-enhanced T2-weighted images, although signal intensity loss was seen in some individual hepatocellular adenomas (mean, -6.6%+/-24.0%) and hepatocellular carcinomas (mean, -3.3%+/-10.3%). All lesions, with the exception of hepatocellular carcinoma, had a marked increase in lesion-to-liver contrast on ferumoxides-enhanced T2-weighted images, which was statistically significant for metastases and hemangioma (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Focal nodular hyperplasia shows significant decrease in signal intensity on ferumoxides-enhanced T2-weighted images, which may aid in the differentiation of focal nodular hyperplasia from other focal hepatic lesions. Other lesions, namely, hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma, can have reticuloendothelial uptake, but usually to a lesser degree than that of focal nodular hyperplasia.     

肝脏局灶性结节增生的CT和MRI表现与病理对照分析

目的:探讨肝脏局灶性结节增生(FNH)的CT和MRI表现及病理基础。方法:回顾性分析18例20个经手术或穿刺活检病理证实FNH的CT和MRI表现特点,并与病理对照(CT检查12例,MRI检查10例,4例同时行CT和MRI检查)。结果:病灶大小1.8～13.5cm;CT检出11个病灶,CT平扫病灶均呈低密度,均匀或不均匀;增强扫描动脉期示除中心疤痕灶外,所有病灶均明显增强,6个病灶周边见增粗、扭曲的动脉;门脉期示病灶呈稍高密度,延时期示6个病灶呈稍高或等密度,5个病灶呈稍低密度;5个病灶的中央疤痕均延时增强。MRI检出12个病灶,病灶均呈稍长或等T1及T2信号;增强动脉期示病灶明显增强,门脉期及延时期呈稍高或等信号,7个病灶的中央疤痕延时增强。结论:CT和MRI能够显示FNH的血供特点及病理特征,动态增强扫描是诊断FNH最有效的影像学手段,在诊断和鉴别诊断中具有很大价值。