Magnetic resonance imaging of the liver: New imaging strategies for evaluating focal liver lesions

The early detection of focal liver lesions, particularly those which are malignant, is of utmost importance. The resection of liver metastases of some malignancies (including colorectal cancer) has been shown to improve the survival of patients. Exact knowledge of the number, size, and regional distribution of liver metastases is essential to determine their resectability. Almost all focal liver lesions larger than 10 mm are demonstrated with current imaging techniques but the detection of smaller focal liver lesions is still relatively poor. One of the advantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver is better soft tissue contrast (compared to other radiologic modalities), which allows better detection and characterization of the focal liver lesions in question. Developments in MRI hardware and software and the availability of novel MRI contrast agents have further improved the diagnostic yield of MRI in lesion detection and characterization. Although the primary modalities for liver imaging are ultrasound and computed tomography, recent studies have suggested that MRI is the most sensitive method for detecting small liver metastatic lesions, and MRI is now considered the pre-operative standard method for diagnosis. Two recent developments in MRI sequences for the upper abdomen comprise unenhanced diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and keyhole-based dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI (4D THRIVE). DWI allows improved detection (b = 10 s/mm(2)) of small (< 10 mm) focal liver lesions in particular, and is useful as a road map sequence. Also, using higher b-values, the calculation of the apparent diffusion coefficient value, true diffusion coefficient, D, and the perfusion fraction, f, has been used for the characterization of focal liver lesions. DCE 4D THRIVE enables MRI of the liver with high temporal and spatial resolution and full liver coverage. 4D THRIVE improves evaluation of focal liver lesions, providing multiple arterial and venous phases, and allows the calculation of perfusion parameters using pharmacokinetic models. 4D THRIVE has potential benefits in terms of detection, characterization and staging of focal liver lesions and in monitoring therapy.     

消化道磁共振检查技术与诊断

随着MR技术的快速发展,胃肠道MR检查成为现实。本文将讨论最佳MR胃肠成像所需诊断技术要求及与已有的X线检查方法相比MR所处的位置。当前这一新的检查方法在食道、小肠、结肠中都有报道。这些发展显示胃肠道MR检查可能将由科学研究向常规的临床应用转变。     

Detection of liver metastases: Gadoxetic acid-enhanced three-dimensional MR imaging versus ferucarbotran-enhanced MR imaging

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI with ferucarbotran-enhanced MRI for the detection of liver metastases.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six patients with 80 liver metastases who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI using a three-dimensional volumetric interpolated technique and ferucarbotran-enhanced MRI with a mean interval of 7 days (range, 5-10 days) were included in this study. Two observers independently interpreted the two sets of images - the gadoxetic acid set (unenhanced, early dynamic and 20 min delayed phase images) and the ferucarbotran set (unenhanced and ferucarbotran-enhanced T2*-weighted-gradient echo and T2-weighted turbo spin echo images). Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the alternative-free response receiver operator characteristic (ROC) method. Sensitivity and positive predictive value were also evaluated.

Results

There was a trend toward increased areas under the ROC curve (Az values) for the gadoxetic acid set (0.950, 0.948) as compared with the ferucarbotran set (0.941 and 0.939) of images, but no significant difference was found for both observers (p < 0.05). Sensitivities of the gadoxetic acid set (93.8% and 92.5%) were also slightly better than those of the ferucarbotran set (88.8% and 87.5%) with no significant difference (p = 0.13). The two image sets showed similar positive predictive values (98.7% and 98.6%, respectively).

Conclusions

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI showed comparable diagnostic performance to ferucarbotran-enhanced MRI for the detection of liver metastases.     

Detection of liver metastases: gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced three-dimensional dynamic phases and one-hour delayed phase MR imaging versus superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA)-enhanced MR imaging, including dynamic phases and one-hour delayed phase, versus superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced imaging for detection of liver metastases. Twenty-three patients with 59 liver metastases underwent Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MR imaging (unenhanced, arterial, portal, equilibrium and one-hour delayed phase) using three-dimensional volumetric interpolated imaging and SPIO-enhanced T2-weighted turbo spin–echo and T2*-weighted gradient-echo sequences on a 1.5-T unit. Three observers independently interpreted the three sets of images, i.e. Gd-BOPTA-enhanced dynamic MRI (set 1), delayed phase imaging (set 2) and SPIO-enhanced MRI (set 3). Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the alternative-free response receiver operating chracteristic (ROC) analysis. Sensitivity and positive predictive value were also evaluated. The mean accuracy (Az values) and sensitivity of Gd-BOPTA-enhanced delayed phase imaging (0.982, 95.5%) were comparable to those of SPIO-enhanced imaging (0.984, 97.2%). In addition, Az values and sensitivities of both imaging sets were significantly higher than those of Gd-BOPTA-enhanced dynamic images (0.826, 77.4%: p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the positive predictive value among the three image sets. Gd-BOPTA-enhanced delayed phase imaging showed comparable diagnostic performance to SPIO-enhanced imaging for the detection of liver metastases, and had a better diagnostic performance than Gd-BOPTA-enhanced dynamic images.     

Contrast agents for MR imaging of the liver: a clinical overview

Different contrast agents have been clinically used in MR imaging of the liver including extracellular gadolinium chelates, contrast agents targeted to the macrophage-monocytic phagocytic system (MMPS), hepatobiliary contrast agents, and blood-pool contrast agents. Extracellular gadolinium chelates are optimally used for characterization of focal hepatic lesions, whereas hepatobiliary and MMPS-targeted contrast agents are optimally used for detection and preoperative evaluation. The present review portrays these contrast agents and discusses their advantages and shortcomings. Received 14 June 1996; Revision received 14 August 1996; Accepted 16 August 1996     

Magnetic resonance imaging of atherosclerosis

Abundant data now link composition of the vascular wall, rather than the degree of luminal narrowing, with the risk for acute ischemic syndromes in the coronary, central nervous system, and peripheral arterial beds. Over the past few years, magnetic resonance angiography has evolved as a well-established method to determine the location and severity of advanced, lumen-encroaching atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, more recent studies have shown that high spatial resolution, multisequence MRI is also a promising tool for noninvasive, serial imaging of the aortic and carotid vessel wall, which potentially can be applied in the clinical setting. Because of the limited spatial resolution of current MRI techniques, characterization of coronary vessel wall atherosclerosis, however, is not yet possible and remains the holy grail of plaque imaging. Recent technical developments in MRI technology such as dedicated surface coils, the introduction of 3.0-T high-field systems and parallel imaging, as well as developments in the field of molecular imaging such as contrast agents targeted to specific plaque constituents, are likely to lead to the necessary improvements in signal to noise ratio, imaging speed, and specificity. These improvements will ultimately lead to more widespread application of this technology in clinical practice. In the present review, the current status and future role of MRI for plaque detection and characterization are summarized.     

Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of Gd-DTPA- and ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging

The aim was to compare the diagnostic performance of dynamic Gd-DTPA- and ferumoxides-enhanced MRI for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Twenty-five patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis underwent both dynamic gadopentetate- and ferumoxides-enhanced MRI studies of the liver for HCC detection on the same day. MR data of both studies were retrospectively and independently analyzed. Two observers determined in consensus the grade of diffuse fibrotic liver changes (mild, moderate or severe) and the number of focal lesions. HCCs were confirmed by histology (n=22) and/or follow-up studies for at least six months (n=64). Differences in results obtained from both MR data sets were tested for significance with the McNemars test (p<0.05). Ferumoxides-enhanced MR images detected 84 of 99 hepatic lesions, including 82 of 86 HCCs and 2 false positive, nonmalignant lesions, while Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR images detected 92 of 99 hepatic lesions, including 81 of 86 HCCs and 11 false positive, nonmalignant lesions. Sensitivity of MRI for detection of HCCs was not significantly different between ferumoxides-enhanced (95.3%; p>0.05) and Gd-DTPA-enhanced scans (94.2%). Gd-DTPA- and ferumoxides-enhanced MRI perform equally well for HCC detection. The majority of small hypervascular hepatic lesions, detected on dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI but not on ferumoxides-enhanced MRI, represent no HCCs.     

肝脏血管平滑肌脂肪瘤MRI表现

目的：总结分析肝脏血管平滑肌脂肪瘤（AML）的MRI表现,比较上皮样与非上皮样肝脏AML的MRI表现差异。方法：搜集经手术病理证实的肝脏AML患者15例,1l例行MRI检查,其中上皮样AML5例,非上皮样AML6例,1例非上皮样AML仅行MRI平扫,其余10例均行MRI平扫及动态增强扫描。结果：化学位移成像栓出7例肿瘤的脂肪成分,而频率饱和法仅检出3例肿瘤的脂肪成像。无脂肪型中上皮样与非上皮样AML各2例;少脂肪型中上皮样AML1例,非上皮样AML3例;富脂肪型中上皮样AML2例,非上皮样AML1例;上皮样与非上皮样AML脂肪含量相仿。10例行增强扫描的病例中动脉期强化9例,门脉期强化6例,延迟期强化5例,延迟期环形包膜样强化9例,动态增强曲线8例呈动脉期速升,门脉期及延迟期强化迅速减低。结论：上皮样与非上皮样AML影像学表现差异较小,MRI检出脂肪含量多寡难以作为肿瘤是否为上皮样AML的诊断标准。在MRI动态增强扫描中,上皮样AML与富血管平滑肌的经典型AML强化形式相似。     

Magnetic resonance imaging of pyomyositis

Pyomyositis is a relatively rare entity in temperate climates. Because of its rarity and its nonspecific clinical and radiographic findings, pyomyositis may be misdiagnosed and may cause severe morbidity and mortality. We present magnetic resonance imaging findings in two cases of pyomyositis. Magnetic resonance imaging was helpful in differentiating other pathological processes from pyomyositis, outlining the extent of involvement, and localizing the fluid collection.     

Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of ferumoxides-enhanced and gadolinium-enhanced dynamic three-dimensional volume interpolated breath-hold MR imaging

The purpose was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging and gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MR imaging using three-dimensional (3D) volume interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Forty-nine patients with 61 HCCs, who underwent ferumoxides-enhanced and gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MR imaging, were included prospectively in this study. Ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging was performed 24 h after completion of the dynamic study using 3D-VIBE. Three radiologists independently interpreted the images. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the receiver-operating characteristic method, and the sensitivity of each imaging technique was compared using McNemars test. The mean diagnostic accuracy of dynamic MR imaging (Az=0.95) was higher than that of ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging (Az=0.90), but failed to reach a statistical significance (P=0.057). The mean sensitivity of dynamic MR imaging (90.7%) was significantly superior to that of ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging (80.9%, P=0.03). Furthermore, for lesions smaller than 15 mm, the mean sensitivity of dynamic MR imaging was significantly higher than that of ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging (85.2% vs. 69.2%, P<0.05). Dynamic MR imaging showed a trend toward better diagnostic accuracy for than ferumoxides-enhanced MR imaging for the detection of HCCs.     

LAC-HSA-SPIO增强磁共振成像检测大鼠肝癌的实验研究

目的 :探讨利用肝细胞去唾液酸糖蛋白受体 (ASG受体 )介导的LAC HSA SPIO对比剂检测肝癌的可能性。方法 :建立二乙基亚硝胺诱导的大鼠肝癌模型 ( 8例 ) ,获平扫及注射LAC HSA SPIO ( 1.2mgFe/10 0g体重 )后大鼠肝脏双回波SE像 ( 2 0 0 0 /30～ 80 ) ,测定肝实质强化率 (PCE)和肝癌灶信号对比度 /噪声比 (CNR)。结果 :①注药后在T2 WI肝实质PCE为 71.8%± 16.3% ,癌结节为 10 .2 %± 4.8% (P <0 .0 1) ;②增强后PD WI上瘤结节CNR由平扫时 1.6± 0 .3上升至 8.2± 4.6(P <0 .0 1) ,T2 WI癌结节CNR由 4.7± 3.1上升至 8.9± 4.0 ( 0 .0 1

相似文献   

烟雾病的MRI、MRA诊断价值

 目的探讨MRI、MRA对烟雾病(Moyamoya病)的诊断价值.方法对11例Moyamoya病患者行MRI和MRA检查,MRI包括横轴位和矢状位T1WI、T2WI、FLAIR;MRA采用3D TOF法,3例行增强MRA.结果MRI表现为:(1)Moyamoya血管:双侧3例,单侧8例;(2)脑梗死和脑软化灶11例;(3)局部脑萎缩3例.MRA表现为3例双侧颈内动脉狭窄,双侧大脑中、前动脉闭塞,大脑后动脉形成异常血管网;6例右侧颈内动脉、大脑中动脉狭窄;2例左侧颈内动脉、大脑中动脉狭窄.结论MRI能良好的显示脑内病变,MRA能较完整的显示异常血管,MRI与MRA相结合可作为烟雾病诊断的首选检查方法.     

小儿肝脏间叶性错构瘤的MRI表现

目的肝脏间叶性错构瘤是1种少见的肝脏良性肿瘤。方法搜集经MRI检查后手术或穿刺病理证实的12例，总结其MRI表现，以其提高对本病的认识和正确诊断。12例患儿，男7例，女5例。年龄1．2个月至12岁，平均6．3岁。主要症状为：腹部包块(5例)，肝大(8例)，腹痛、贫血(3例)。甲胎蛋白阴性。采用Elscint2．0T磁共振装置，SE、快速梯度回波(FSE)序列，横断、矢状、冠状面扫描，有2例为平扫加动态增强扫描。结果单发结节型6例，其中3例为实性为主，T1WI为稍低信号，T2WI为不均匀高信号；1例为囊实混合性，为实性肿块中可见大小不等边界清楚的囊；2例囊性为主，表现为多房分隔的囊性肿块。弥漫及多发结节型5例，结节大小不等、边界清楚信号同实性肿块。弥漫及单发囊性肿块并存者1例。增强扫描早期病灶轻度环形强化，延迟扫描渐向中心强化。肝内血管受压者5例，腔静脉及腹主动脉受压者3例。病理所见：镜下见纤维增生成片，透明变性，其中小胆管增生，小叶状排列；囊性者部分囊壁内衬单层扁平上皮细胞或胆管上皮，部分为结缔组织裂隙，囊内充满液体或胶样物质。结论MR检查是鉴别和诊断小儿肝间叶性错构瘤的较好方法，应该认识其MRI表现。     

Gadobenate dimeglumine (BOPTA) enhanced MR imaging: Patterns of enhancement in normal liver and cirrhosis

To determine whether gadobenate dimeglumine (BOPTA) will adequately enhance cirrhotic liver parenchyma, and to document the enhancement patterns in cirrhosis, 14 cirrhotic and 20 non-cirrhotic patients were evaluated before and 60–120 minutes after gadolinium-BOPTA. Proof of liver cirrhosis was biopsy (6), surgical resection (3), and clinical follow-up (5). Enhancement effects were compared quantitatively by determining the liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal enhancement in both populations. Qualitatively assessment of the liver enhancement was performed and classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Quantitative analysis: cirrhotic liver parenchyma presented a higher increase in SNR values, relative to noncirrhotic liver parenchyma, on postcontrast images. Likewise the signal enhancement of cirrhotic liver parenchyma was superior to non-cirrhotic liver on T1-weighted SE images (P = .02) and in-phase GRE images (P < .001). There was no statistical difference on out-of-phase GRE images. Qualitative analysis: on T1-weighted SE postcontrast images, cirrhotic liver parenchyma showed a homogeneous enhancement in 7 patients and heterogeneous in 7. Whereas on GRE images, cirrhotic parenchyma showed heterogeneous enhancement in 9 patients and homogeneous in 5 patients. The heterogeneous enhancement was due to the presence of hypointense nodules in 7 patients and hyperintense nodules in 2 patients. In conclusion, our study has shown that the hepatobiliary contrast agent Gd-BOPTA is effective in the cirrhotic liver, demonstrating an increased liver enhancement compared with non-cirrhotic patients.     

Preoperative detection of hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison of combined contrast-enhanced MR imaging and combined CT during arterial portography and CT hepatic arteriography

The aim of this study was to compare Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MR images, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images, vs combined CT arterial portography (CTAP) and CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA), in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Twenty-four patients with 38 nodular HCCs (5–60 mm, mean 23.0 mm) were retrospectively analyzed. Image reviews were conducted on a liver segment-by-segment basis. A total of 192 segments, including 36 segments with 38 HCC, were reviewed independently by three radiologists. Each radiologist read four sets of images (set 1, unenhanced and Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images; set 2, unenhanced and SPIO-enhanced MR images; set 3, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images; set 4, combined CTAP and CTHA). To minimize any possible learning bias, the reviewing order was randomized and the reviewing procedure was performed in four sessions at 2-week intervals. The diagnostic accuracy (A_z values) for HCCs of combined CTAP and CTHA, combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images, Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images, and SPIO-enhanced MR images for all observers were 0.934, 0.963, 0.878, and 0.869, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of combined CTAP and CTHA and combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images was significantly higher than Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images or SPIO-enhanced MR images (p<0.005). The mean specificity of combined CTAP and CTHA (93%) and combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images (95%) was significantly higher than Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic MR images (87%) or SPIO-enhanced MR images (88%; p<0.05). Combined Gd-DTPA-enhanced dynamic and SPIO-enhanced MR images may obviate the need for more invasive combined CTAP and CTHA for the preoperative evaluation of patients with HCC.     

CT和MR肝脏灌注成像技术及其临床应用

近年来随着CT、MR功能成像研究的发展,国内外有不少学者尝试使用CT、MR肝脏灌注成像评价肝脏功能及肝脏病变的血液动力学特征。综述了近来国内外CT、MR灌注成像在肝脏评价中的应用现状,重点是图像分析方法及临床应用。     

关节软骨MR成像进展

随着软骨序列的开发和应用，MRI对关节软骨的评价越来越重要。本文就关节软骨的MRI表现、关节软骨的MRI序列和扫描技术、关节软骨损伤以及修复术后MRI评价等方面进行了综述。     

Magnetic resonance imaging in glenohumeral instability

The glenohumeral joint is the most commonly dislocated joint of the body and anterior instability is the most common type of shoulder instability.Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging,and more recently,MR arthrography,have become the essential investigation modalities of glenohumeral instability,especially for pre-procedure evaluation before arthroscopic surgery.Injuries associated with glenohumeral instability are variable,and can involve the bones,the labor-ligamentous components,or the rotator cuff.Anterior instability is associated with injuries of the anterior labrum and the anterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament,in the form of Bankart lesion and its variants;whereas posterior instability is associated with reverse Bankart and reverse Hill-Sachs lesion.Multidirectional instability often has no labral pathology on imaging but shows specific osseous changes such as increased chondrolabral retroversion.This article reviews the relevant anatomy in brief,the MR imaging technique and the arthrographic technique,and describes the MR findings in each type of instability as well as common imaging pitfalls.     

The importance of adjusting for differences in proximal and distal contrast bolus arrival times in contrast-enhanced iliac artery magnetic resonance angiography

We tested the hypothesis that differences in proximal and distal contrast bolus arrival times may result in insufficient vascular signal in the distal part of the aortoiliofemoral territory with routinely used timing techniques. The difference in arrival time of the contrast medium bolus between the aorta and the common femoral arteries was measured in 14 patients undergoing magnetic resonance angiography of the aortoiliac arteries. A dual-station test bolus technique adjusting for this difference was evaluated. The variation coefficient of the signal intensity in six defined locations and signal intensities (SI) normalised to fat were calculated. Comparisons were made with findings in 13 patients examined with a fluoroscopically triggered timing technique (BolusTrak, Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands). The difference in bolus arrival time between proximal and distal vessels was 0–7 s. In 3 of 14 patients it was 5.6–7 s. There was a tendency towards a lower mean variation coefficient in the dual-station group (p=0.10). With both techniques, significantly lower SIs were measured in the femoral arteries compared with SIs in the superior part of the abdominal aorta. In two cases in the BolusTrak group, a distal vessel could not be delineated but was shown to be patent on a delayed scan. Differences in contrast medium arrival time along the vessel may be large enough to preclude visualisation of distal vessels unless there is compensation. A dual-station test bolus technique taking this into account was found to be feasible. Electronic Publication     

细胞磁共振成像技术在体示踪免疫细胞的研究进展

肿瘤免疫治疗是继手术、放疗和化疗后出现的一种新的治疗方法。在体示踪免疫细胞有助于指导肿瘤的免疫治疗并预测和评估其治疗效果。细胞磁共振成像技术运用特殊的对比剂,能够无创、实时、可重复地监测体内细胞的活动。近年来,研究者对应用细胞磁共振成像技术在体示踪免疫细胞进行了大量的研究并取得了一定的进展,该文将就这一研究进展作一综述。