Combined MR imaging and spectroscopy of bone and soft tissue tumors

Twenty-three patients with bone and soft tissue tumors were studied with combined magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and spectroscopy. The MR examinations were utilized to determine the size, internal characteristics, and relationships of the tumor to the surrounding tissues. They also determined the optimal placement of the surface coil. The surface coil profile was the localization technique utilized. Four patients were also studied with one-dimensional chemical shift localization. Tumors were grouped according to histologic type, degree of muscle contamination, size, and extent of necrosis. Quantitative comparison among the groups was carried out by comparing the mean ratios of the low-energy phosphate portion of the spectra [phosphomonoester (PME), Pi, phosphodiester (PDE)] to beta-nucleotide triphosphate (NTP). Tumor spectra typically showed a relative elevation in PME, Pi, and PDE and a relative decrease in phosphocreatinine. No characteristic spectra were observed for individual tumor types. Contamination of the tumor spectra from surrounding muscle impaired interpretation of the spectral data. Tumor size and extent of necrosis were important determinants of the relative degree of abnormally elevated metabolite peaks (PME, Pi, PDE). A trend toward a higher mean PME/beta-NTP ratio was observed among high-grade lesions. Combined MR imaging and spectroscopy is a useful way to study tumor metabolism. Muscle contamination is a significant problem in analysis of the spectra. Better localization techniques are required.     

Characterization of bone and soft-tissue tumors with in vivo 1H MR spectroscopy: initial results

PURPOSE: To determine if in vivo detection of choline by using hydrogen 1 (1H) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy with dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging can help differentiate between benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging was performed in 36 consecutive patients with bone and soft-tissue tumors larger than 1.5 cm in diameter. Examinations were performed at 1.5 T with a surface coil appropriate for the location of the lesions. Single-voxel 1H MR spectroscopy was performed by using a point-resolved spectroscopic sequence with echo times of 40, 135, and 270 msec. The volume of interest within lesions was positioned on the areas of early enhancement (<8 seconds after arterial enhancement) according to the findings of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging with subtraction. The criterion for determining whether choline was present in a lesion was a clearly identifiable peak at 3.2 ppm in at least two of the three spectra acquired at echo times. MR spectroscopic results and histopathologic findings were determined in blinded fashion and compared with kappa statistics. P <.001 was considered to indicate a significant difference. RESULTS: Choline was detected in 18 of 19 patients with malignant tumors and in three of 17 patients with benign lesions. The three benign lesions included one perineurioma, one giant cell tumor, and one abscess. Choline was not detected in 14 patients with benign lesions nor in one patient with a densely ossifying low-grade parosteal osteosarcoma. In vivo 1H MR spectroscopy characterized bone and soft-tissue tumors, resulting in a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 82%, and accuracy of 89% (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Choline can be reliably detected in large malignant bone and soft-tissue tumors by using a multiecho point-resolved spectroscopic protocol. 1H MR spectroscopy can help differentiate malignant from benign musculoskeletal tumors by revealing the presence or absence of water-soluble choline metabolites.     

Proton MR spectroscopy with choline peak as malignancy marker improves positive predictive value for breast cancer diagnosis: preliminary study

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in patients with suspicious lesions or biopsy-proved cancers at MR imaging by using histologic findings as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained for this HIPAA-compliant study, breast MR spectroscopy was performed in patients with suspicious or biopsy-proved malignant lesions measuring 1 cm or larger at MR imaging. Single-voxel MR spectroscopy data were collected from a single rectangular volume of interest that encompassed the lesion. MR spectroscopy findings were defined as positive if the signal-to-noise ratio of the choline resonance peak was greater than or equal to 2 and as negative in all other cases. MR spectroscopy findings were then compared with histologic findings. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients (age range, 20-77 years) with 57 lesions were imaged. The median lesion size at MR imaging was 2.3 cm (range, 1-15 cm). Histologically, 31 (54%) of 57 lesions were malignant, and 26 (46%) were benign. A choline peak was present in 34 of 57 lesions (including all cancers) and in three of 26 benign lesions, giving MR spectroscopy a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 88%. In 40 lesions of unknown histologic type, the use of MR spectroscopy as an adjunct to MR imaging would have significantly (P<.01) increased the positive predictive value of biopsy from 35% to 82%. If biopsy had been performed only on those lesions with a choline peak at MR spectroscopy, biopsy may have been spared in 23 (58%) of 40 lesions, and none of the cancers would have been missed. CONCLUSION: Proton MR spectroscopy was successfully incorporated into breast MR imaging studies for lesions measuring 1 cm or larger. This technique may be useful in reducing the number of lesions detected at MR imaging that require biopsy.     

Osteosarcoma: use of MR imaging and MR spectroscopy in clinical decision making

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 14 patients with histologically proved osteosarcoma (mean age, 14.4 years). There was excellent correlation of intramedullary tumor extent as determined with MR imaging and pathologic examination (r = 99%). This was facilitated by the presence of a chemical shift artifact at the tumor-marrow interface on the T1-weighted images. The correlation between CT and pathologic findings was not as good (r = 84%). In a single patient, however, a 10-cm length of sclerotic bone was incorrectly interpreted as being tumor. If this case is excluded, the correlation between CT and pathologic findings improves significantly (r = 96%). T2-weighted images were optimal in demonstrating soft-tissue bulk and breach of the epiphysis or cortex. Vascular involvement was also readily defined. The T2 value of the tumor soft-tissue component decreased in patients who were deemed to have responded well to therapy. Two patients with very high T2 values after chemotherapy developed wide-spread metastatic disease and died. Phosphorus-31 MR spectroscopy of five patients with osteosarcoma showed elevated levels of phosphomonoesters (PMEs), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and phosphodiesters (PDEs). PME and PDE peak areas decreased in three patients after chemotherapy, while Pi peak areas increased.     

Normal and diffusely abnormal myocardium in humans: functional and metabolic characterization with P-31 MR spectroscopy and cine MR imaging

The current study tested the concept that cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and phosphorus-31 MR spectroscopy might be used to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the functional and metabolic status of the myocardium in humans. Thirteen patients with congestive cardiomyopathy and eight healthy volunteers were imaged at 1.5 T with the one-dimensional chemical shift imaging technique for localization of P-31 MR spectroscopy and an electrocardiographically referenced gradient refocused sequence for imaging of the heart. Prominent peaks in the PDE and PME regions were observed in cardiomyopathic patients, but only the former peak was measured. The PCr/beta-ATP peak ratio was not significantly lower in cardiomyopathic patients compared with healthy subjects (1.51 +/- 0.08 vs 1.54 +/- 0.04). The ratios of PDE/PCr (0.80 +/- 0.07 vs 0.54 +/- 0.10) (P less than or equal to .01) and PDE/beta-ATP (1.19 +/- 0.10 vs 0.84 +/- 0.08) (P less than or equal to .05) were significantly higher in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy compared with healthy volunteers. Left ventricular systolic wall thickening was significantly lower and left ventricular peak and end-systolic wall stress and mass were significantly higher in cardiomyopathic patients compared with healthy volunteers. Thus, localized, gated P-31 MR spectroscopy combined with cine MR imaging allowed identification of both abnormal myocardial phosphate metabolism and abnormal ventricular function. While this study suggests that increased myocardial PDEs may be a marker for abnormal myocardium, the sensitivity and specificity of this marker need to be further evaluated.     

31P MR波谱在骨恶性肿瘤与炎症鉴别中的应用

目的 探讨活体31P MR波谱(31P MRS)在骨恶性肿瘤与炎症鉴别中的价值.方法 对32名健康志愿者、20例恶性骨肿瘤、22例骨及软组织炎症患者分别行常规X线、MRI与31P MRS 检查,测定波谱中各代谢产物的峰下面积,计算各代谢产物间的比值,并根据无机磷(Pi)相对于磷酸肌酸(PCr)的化学位移测定细胞内pH值.统计学采用单因素方差分析.结果 31P MRS检测发现恶性骨肿瘤组磷酸单酯(PME)/β-三磷酸腺苷(ATP)值(1.24±0.37)明显高于对照组和炎症组(P值均＜0.01);炎症组磷酸二酯(PDE)/β-ATP(2.21±0.37)、Pi/β-ATP(1.46±0.43)明显高于对照组和恶性肿瘤组(P值均＜0.05),但PME/β-ATP(0.19±0.10)值不高;对照组低能磷酸盐(LEP)/总31P代谢物(T31P)(0.10±0.02)、PCr/T31p(0.45±0.03)、ATP/T31P(0.45±0.03)与恶性骨肿瘤和炎症组之间差异有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01);恶性肿瘤组细胞内pH值为7.45±0.16,明显高于正常对照组(7.05±0.06)和炎症组(7.20±0.13)(P值均＜0.01).结论 组织中PME和细胞内pH值的升高对恶性骨肿瘤的诊断有重要意义.MRS技术与常规X线、MRI相结合,有助于临床对恶性骨肿瘤与炎症的鉴别.     

Soft-tissue tumors: value of static and dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging in prediction of malignancy

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate static and dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging relative to nonenhanced MR imaging in differentiation of benign from malignant soft-tissue lesions and to evaluate which MR imaging parameters are most predictive of malignancy, with associated interobserver variability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred forty consecutive patients (78 male patients [median age, 51 years], 62 female patients [median age, 53 years]) with a soft-tissue mass underwent nonenhanced static and dynamic contrast material-enhanced MR imaging. Diagnosis was based on histologic findings in surgical specimens (86 of 140), findings at core-needle biopsy (43 of 140), or results of all imaging procedures with clinical follow-up (11 of 140). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the best combination of MR imaging parameters that might be predictive of malignancy. Subjective overall performance of two observers was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: For subjective overall diagnosis, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, a measure for diagnostic accuracy, was significantly larger for combined nonenhanced and contrast-enhanced MR imaging than it was for nonenhanced MR imaging alone, with no significant difference between observers. Multivariate analysis of all lesions revealed that combined nonenhanced static and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters were significantly superior to nonenhanced MR imaging parameters alone and to nonenhanced MR imaging parameters combined with static contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters in prediction of malignancy. The most discriminating parameters were presence of liquefaction, start of dynamic enhancement (time interval between start of arterial and tumor enhancement), and lesion size (diameter). Results for extremity lesions were the same, with one exception: With dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging parameters, diagnostic performance of one observer did not improve. CONCLUSION: Static and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, when added to nonenhanced MR imaging, improved differentiation between benign and malignant soft-tissue lesions.     

1990 ARRS Executive Council Award. Renal transplant rejection: diagnosis with 31P MR spectroscopy

We evaluated the role of 31P MR spectroscopy in the diagnosis of renal transplant allograft dysfunction. Thirty-six 31P MR spectroscopy examinations were prospectively performed in 35 patients with renal allografts. The study was performed in two phases. In the first phase, 12 transplant recipients with normal graft function were studied as normal controls. During phase two, 24 31P MR spectroscopy studies were performed in patients at the time of renal transplant biopsy for allograft dysfunction. Twenty-one of these studies were technically adequate. Pathologic analysis of the biopsy specimens showed evidence of allograft rejection in 14 and no rejection in seven. Various phosphorus metabolite ratios were calculated for each patient, including phosphodiesters/phosphomonoesters (PDE/PME), phosphomonoesters/inorganic phosphate (PME/Pi), and inorganic phosphate/adenosine triphosphate (Pi/ATP). The PDE/PME and Pi/ATP ratios in the allografts with rejection differed significantly from the corresponding metabolite ratios in patients without rejection (p = .017 and p = .024, respectively). A PDE/PME ratio exceeding 0.8 had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 86% for predicting rejection. A Pi/ATP ratio greater than 0.6 had a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 86% for predicting rejection. We conclude that 31P MR spectroscopy may be useful as a noninvasive method for evaluating renal metabolism during episodes of transplant allograft dysfunction.     

Solitary pulmonary nodules: a comparative study evaluated with contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging and CT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the diagnostic performances of dynamic MR imaging and CT for the differentiation of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). METHODS: Eighty-one patients with SPNs (32 malignant, 49 benign) underwent dynamic MR imaging (n=31), dynamic CT (n=27), or both (n=23). The degree of peak enhancement of benign and malignant SPNs was compared on both dynamic MR imaging and CT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic performances of dynamic MR imaging and CT. RESULTS: The malignant SPNs revealed significantly greater degrees of peak enhancement on dynamic MR imaging (mean +/- SD [p%SI] 131.2 +/- 46.1 versus 54.2 +/- 45.3; range [p%SI] 82.6-260.0 versus -0.7-171.7; P <0.0001) and CT (mean +/- SD [DMI] 37.8 +/- 15.1 versus 17.9 +/- 21.8; range [DMI] 14.1-68.2 versus -5.4-107.6; P=0.0004). Although dynamic MR imaging was somewhat superior to dynamic CT, the diagnostic performances of the 2 modalities based on ROC analysis were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic MR imaging and CT seem to be equally well suited for the differentiation between benign and malignant SPNs.     

磁共振氢质子波谱在下肢骨-软组织疾病中应用初探

目的 探讨磁共振氢质子波谱(^1HMRS)研究肢体骨-软组织疾病的可行性及其价值。资料与方法 对10例下肢正常骨、5例下肢正常肌肉、6例下肢良性骨病、11例下肢恶性骨肿瘤及1例下肢恶性横纹肌肉瘤进行^1HMRS测量，并采用单体素激发回波序列(SVS-STEAM)。结果 下肢骨-软组织疾病的^1HMRS波形与正常组织明显不同，良、恶性病变也存在差异，恶性病变的胆碱(Cho)含量明显升高。结论 ^1HMRS是无创性研究肢体骨-软组织疾病的生化及代谢变化的理想方法。     

Misleading aggressive MR imaging appearance of some benign musculoskeletal lesions.

After plain radiography has been performed, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is considered the modality of choice for the evaluation of suspected musculoskeletal lesions because of its exquisite sensitivity to changes in the signal intensity of marrow and soft tissue. That sensitivity, however, may lead to an overestimation of the aggressiveness and extent of some benign bone lesions, particularly in children. Such lesions include chondroblastoma, osteoid osteoma, eosinophilic granuloma, and stress fractures. Potentially misleading MR features commonly seen include prominent marrow edema, soft-tissue edema, and apparent mass effect adjacent to the bone lesion. Features that these lesions have in common that may explain the MR findings include associated inflammatory reactions caused by the lesions and their occurrence in childhood, when the periosteum is more loosely attached. Knowledge of the potential pitfalls encountered with MR imaging may help explain the discrepancy between the radiographic and MR appearances of these benign lesions and avoid misplaced reliance on MR imaging for a diagnosis. Radiography remains the single most valuable modality in determining a differential diagnosis for bone lesions.     

Detection of choline signal in human breast lesions with chemical-shift imaging

PURPOSE: To investigate the application of MR spectroscopy using chemical-shift imaging (CSI) for characterizing human breast lesions at 1.5T, and to evaluate the diagnostic performance using ROC (receiver operating characteristics) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients (35-73 years old, mean 52), with 27 malignant and 9 benign lesions, underwent anatomical imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging, and CSI. The ROC analysis was performed and the cutoff point yielding the highest accuracy was found to be a choline (Cho) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) >3.2. RESULTS: The mean Cho SNR was 2.8 +/- 0.8 (range, 1.8-4.3) for the benign group and 5.9 +/- 3.4 (2.1-17.5) for the malignant group (P = 0.01). Based on the criterion of Cho SNR >3.2 as malignant, CSI correctly diagnosed 22 of 27 malignant lesions and 7 of 9 benign lesions, resulting in a sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 78%, and overall accuracy of 81%. If the criterion was set higher at Cho SNR >4.0 the specificity improved to 89% but sensitivity was lowered to 67%. CONCLUSION: The ROC analysis presented in this work could be used to set an objective diagnostic criterion depending on preferred emphasis on sensitivity or specificity.     

Diagnostic value of TI-201 and three-phase bone scintigraphy for bone and soft-tissue tumors

PURPOSE: Although TI-201 is highly sensitive for detecting bone and soft-tissue tumors, its uptake is not specific for malignant lesions. This study assessed the differentiation of malignant and benign lesions and evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of TI-201 imaging and three-phase bone scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty bone and soft-tissue tumors (16 malignant and 24 benign) were evaluated. TI-201 static images were acquired 10 minutes (early) and 2 hours (delayed) after injection of the radionuclide. Within 14 days, three-phase bone scintigraphy was performed using Tc-99m HMDP with the patient in the same position. The count ratio of the lesion compared with the normal contralateral or adjacent site (L:N ratio) was measured. RESULTS: With TI-201 scintigraphy, mean (+/- SD) values of early and delayed L:N ratios were 3.36 +/- 1.25 and 2.88 +/- 1.20, respectively, in malignant lesions; and 1.88 +/- 1.14 and 1.48 +/- 0.76, respectively, in benign lesions. TI-201 accumulation in benign lesions was significantly less than that of malignancies on early and delayed images. However, an overlap of both ratios between malignant and benign lesions was seen. No such significance was detected on three-phase bone scintigraphy (L:N ratios of malignant and benign tumors were 2.57 +/- 1.22 and 2.24 +/- 2.11, respectively, for blood flow imaging; 2.41 +/- 0.78 and 2.26 +/- 1.54, respectively, for blood pool imaging; and 2.80 +/- 2.10 and 2.89 +/- 4.55, respectively, for bone imaging). When we assumed that the tumor was malignant when the delayed TI-201 L:N ratio exceeded the blood pool phase L:N ratio with bone scintigraphy, the sensitivity rate was 81%, specificity rate was 100%, and accuracy rate was 93%. CONCLUSIONS: TI-201 imaging for bone and soft-tissue tumors was better than three-phase bone scintigraphy alone but was not good enough to clearly differentiate malignant lesions from benign ones. TI-201 scintigraphy, performed in combination with three-phase bone scintigraphy, may be superior to either one of the two imaging procedures alone for bone and soft-tissue tumor diagnosis.     

软组织肿瘤的MR灌注成像与MR波谱成像的比较研究

目的 通过分析软组织肿瘤同一病例相同感兴趣区的MR灌注加权成像(MR-PWI)及MR氢质子波谱(1H-MRS)的功能影像信息,比较两者用于软组织肿瘤的定性诊断价值.方法 研究同时行MR-PWI、1H-MRS的全身各部位软组织肿瘤共40例.比较MR-PWI及1H-MRS各参数在良、恶性肿瘤中的差异,进而对2种诊断方法进行评价.所获数据采用t检验或配对四格表确切概率法分析.结果 MR-PWI良、恶性软组织肿瘤的血流量(BF)值差异有统计学意义(t=2.531,P<0.05),血容量(BV)及平均通过时间(MTT)值差异均无统计学意义(t值分别为1.587和1.732,P值均>0.05);以BF值=4.35 ml·100 mg-1·min-1为阈值,MR-PWI诊断恶性肿瘤的敏感度为81.8%(18/22),特异度为72.2%(13/18).良、恶性软组织肿瘤的时间信号曲线(TIC)类型比较:Ⅰ a型在良性肿瘤中占3/18,在恶性肿瘤中占17/22;Ⅰ b型在良性肿瘤中占12/18,在恶性肿瘤中占3/22;Ⅰ c型在恶性肿瘤中占2/22.Ⅱ型在良性肿瘤中占3/18.良、恶性软组织肿瘤的胆碱(Cho)、肌酸复合物(Cr)、脂质(Lip)值差异均无统计学意义(t值分别为1.332、1.637、1.986,P值均>0.05),而Cho/Cr比值的差异有统计学意义(t=2.927,P<0.05);以Cho/Cr比值=3.22为阈值,1H-MRS诊断恶性肿瘤的敏感度为86.4%(19/22),特异度为88.9%(16/18).1H-MRS谱线比较:18例良性及17例恶性软组织肿瘤在2.0～2.1ppm(×10-6)处均未出现异常峰,而2例恶性神经鞘瘤和3例恶性纤维组织细胞瘤均在2.0～2.1ppm处出现异常峰.MR-DWI与1H-MRS用于恶性肿瘤诊断准确度的差异无统计学意义(X2=0.125,P>0.05).结论 软组织肿瘤的MR-PWI的BF值、1H-MRS的Cho/Cr比值有利于软组织肿瘤良、恶性的鉴别;软组织肿瘤的TIC形态有助于肿瘤良、恶性的鉴别.MR-PWI和1H-MRS两者用于诊断恶性软组织肿瘤的准确度无明显差异,1H-MRS诊断恶性软组织肿瘤的敏感度和特异度较高.     

Human breast lesions: characterization with contrast-enhanced in vivo proton MR spectroscopy--initial results.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical usefulness of localized proton (hydrogen 1) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in the characterization of contrast material-enhanced breast lesions on the basis of choline detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Examinations were performed at 1.5 T with use of a standard breast coil. Contrast-enhanced MR imaging was performed in 30 consecutive patients (mean age, 50 years; age range, 20--80 years) who had nonspecific lesions (>1.5 cm in diameter) on sonograms or mammograms. Single-voxel (1)H MR spectroscopy was performed in the enhancing lesions by using a point-resolved spectroscopic sequence with echo times of 38, 135, and 270 msec. MR spectroscopic and histopathologic findings were determined in blinded fashion and compared. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients had carcinoma of the breast (tumor size, 2.0--11.2 cm; mean, 4.7 cm), and six had benign lesions (lesion size, 1.8--3.8 cm; mean, 2.7 cm). Choline was detected in 22 patients with carcinoma. Choline was not detected in five patients with benign lesions and in two patients with carcinoma. The preliminary results indicate that this technique had a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 83%, and accuracy of 90%. CONCLUSION: Choline can be reliably detected in less than 45 minutes in large contrast-enhanced breast lesions by using a multiecho point-resolved spectroscopic protocol. The presence of water-soluble choline metabolites obtainable with (1)H MR spectroscopy could complement MR imaging findings to improve specificity and to reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.     

MR imaging of periosteal and cortical changes of bone

The changes seen in the periosteum and cortical bone are fundamental radiographic features of bone disease. The basic radiographic findings used for diagnosis of bone lesions (patterns of cortical destruction and of periosteal new bone formation) can be well identified with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The authors used comparative radiographic, computed tomographic, and MR images to illustrate patterns of periosteal reaction (simple, laminated, spiculated, Codman triangle), geographic and permeative cortical destruction, cortical erosion, cortical expansion and continuity, and intraosseous and extraosseous calcification. The only feature not well demonstrated by MR imaging is pattern or extent of soft-tissue calcification. Although MR images are not required for diagnosis of most peripheral bone lesions, when they are obtained, these fundamental diagnostic features should not be ignored.     

MR imaging of tumor and tumorlike lesions of bone and soft tissue

This review examines the role of MR imaging in the diagnosis and staging of tumors and tumorlike lesions of bone and soft tissue. For tumors of bone, the plain radiograph is not only the least expensive diagnostic test but is the most reliable predictor of the histologic nature of a given lesion. Consequently, it should be the first procedure performed and serve as the basis for determining the next step in the patient's evaluation. MR imaging is the examination of choice for staging bone tumors. CT is preferred to MR imaging only when the characteristics of the lesion are inadequately defined on plain radiographs, as may occur in flat bones. Although MR imaging is of limited value in predicting the histology of bone tumors, it is a useful tool for distinguishing round-cell tumors and metastases from stress fractures and medullary infarcts in symptomatic patients with normal radiographs. For depiction of soft-tissue masses, MR imaging is unrivaled. The histologic nature of a soft-tissue mass may, in some instances, be predicted on the basis of its MR appearance and multicentricity. Biopsy of bone and soft-tissue tumors should follow and not precede MR imaging. MR imaging reliably shows change in tumor volume after radiation or chemotherapy. It is less reliable in predicting the amount of tumor necrosis.     

Chronic hepatitis: in vivo proton MR spectroscopic evaluation of the liver and correlation with histopathologic findings.

PURPOSE: To correlate the in vivo hydrogen 1 ((1)H) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic features of the chronic hepatitis-involved liver with the histopathologic stages of fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients with chronic hepatitis were examined with (1)H MR spectroscopy, which was performed in the right hepatic lobe. The peak areas of glutamine and glutamate complex (Glx), phosphomonoesters (PME), glycogen and glucose complex (Glyu), and lipid were measured on the liver spectra. The histopathologic features were correlated with the in vivo (1)H MR spectroscopic findings at each stage of chronic hepatitis. Fifteen healthy volunteers also were included as a control group. RESULTS: (1)H MR spectroscopy depicted Glx, PME, Glyu, and lipid in all livers. In the normal livers, the calculated mean (+/- SD) relative metabolite-to-lipid ratios of Glx, PME, and Glyu were 0.14 +/- 0.04, 0.03 +/- 0.01, and 0.21 +/- 0.04, respectively. The mean value of each metabolite-to-lipid ratio was significantly different between all stages of chronic hepatitis, and with the exception of the mean ratio at the interval between stages 0 and 1 (P > .05), the mean value increased significantly with increasing stage (P < .05). A pronounced peak was demonstrated at 3.9-4.1 ppm at (1)H MR spectroscopy of all stages of chronic hepatitis except stage 0. CONCLUSION: The increased Glx, PME, and Glyu levels relative to the lipid content with chronic hepatitis indicated the severity of fibrosis and thus were concordant with the histopathologic stages. In vivo (1)H MR spectroscopy might be a substitute for liver biopsy in the diagnosis and staging of chronic hepatitis.     

MR imaging of soft-tissue masses of the extraperitoneal spaces.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has an increasing role in evaluating soft-tissue masses of the extraperitoneal spaces. Since the MR imaging features of most soft-tissue masses are nonspecific, prediction of a specific histologic diagnosis remains a challenge for the radiologist. However, there are certain specific MR imaging appearances that are helpful for more accurate diagnosis. Some histologic components, such as myxoid stroma, collagen fibers, calcification, and fat, have characteristic MR imaging features. Recognition of these features can assist the radiologist in limiting the differential diagnosis. Dynamic enhancement patterns can reflect the vascularity of masses and may be useful in diagnosis, especially in differentiating benign from malignant soft-tissue masses. Familiarity with specific signs and knowledge of diagnostic pitfalls are also important for shortening the list of differential diagnoses. Specific signs are the target sign, the bowl of fruit sign, a whorled appearance, a flow void, speckled enhancement, associated lymphadenopathy, and extension into the intervertebral foramen. Diagnostic pitfalls are as follows: a myxoid stroma simulating cystic degeneration and necrosis, collagen fibers simulating hemorrhage, a fat component simulating extraperitoneal fat, extensive intratumoral hemorrhage simulating hematoma, benign masses mimicking malignant ones, malignant masses mimicking benign ones, and peritoneal lesions mimicking extraperitoneal masses.     

Breast lesions: evaluation with dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging and with T2*-weighted first-pass perfusion MR imaging

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of an imaging protocol that combines dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and T2*-weighted first-pass perfusion imaging in patients with breast tumors and to determine if T2*-weighted imaging can provide additional diagnostic information to that obtained with T1-weighted imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty patients with breast tumors underwent MR imaging with dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging of the entire breast, which was followed immediately with single-section, T2*-weighted imaging of the tumor. RESULTS: With T2*-weighted perfusion imaging, 57 of 72 carcinomas but only four of 58 benign lesions had a signal intensity loss of 20% or more during the first pass, for a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 93%. With dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging, 64 carcinomas and 19 benign lesions showed a signal intensity increase of 90% or more in the first image obtained after the administration of contrast material, for a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 67%. CONCLUSION: T2*-weighted first-pass perfusion imaging can help differentiate between benign and malignant breast lesions with a high level of specificity. The combination of T1-weighted and T2*-weighted imaging is feasible in a single patient examination and may improve breast MR imaging.