诱发性大鼠肝硬化性肝癌超顺磁性氧化铁增强MRI与电镜表现

目的 研究诱发性大鼠肝硬化性肝癌超顺磁性氧化铁(SPIO)增强MRI与电镜表现. 材料与方法 16只由二乙基亚硝胺(DENA)诱导的肝硬化性肝癌大鼠行肝脏SPIO增强前后MR扫描,再行肝脏病理学及电镜检查. 结果 肝癌在T1WI上为低或等低信号,T2WI为较高信号.SPIO增强T2WI上,正常肝实质、肝硬化组织信号强度(SI)较增强前明显下降,肝癌SI较增强前无明显下降,其对比噪声比(CNR)升高,病变显示清晰.SPIO增强T1WI上正常肝实质及硬化肝组织SI无明显下降,肝癌SI较增强前升高,其CNR较增强前降低,病变显示不清楚.电镜下正常肝组织枯否细胞(KC)内溶酶体丰富,可见较多黑色颗粒状SPIO粒子,胞浆内可见大的SPIO簇.肝硬化组织细胞间隔增宽,胶原纤维明显增多,KC数量无明显减少,其内溶酶体有所减少,可见散在SPIO粒子,胞浆内可见较大的SPIO簇.肝癌组织KC数量减少或消失,癌细胞内细胞器基本消失,核异型. 结论 诱导性大鼠肝硬化性肝癌MR信号表现与人类肝癌相似.SPIO增强肝脏信号改变和KC数量及吞噬功能有一定关系.SPIO增强T2WI不仅能提高肝癌的对比,且能间接反映KC数量,可以预测肝癌组织学分级.     

不同MR扫描序列在SPIO增强大鼠肝癌模型的对比研究

目的：比较多种扫描序列超顺磁氧化铁（SPIO）增强扫描对显示大鼠肝癌病灶的能力，找出最佳扫描方案。TSE T2WI、SE双回波的T2WI＋PDWI、GRE T1WI、T2^＊WI，分析增强前后大鼠肝癌病灶的强化特征，并进行病理学检查对照分析。结果：注射SPIO对比剂后，所有扫描序列均显示肝脏的信号强度较增强前有不同程度的下降，肝癌病灶CNR均分别高于平扫。增强后GRE T2^＊WI中病灶的CNR明显高于其它序列，但增强后TSE T2WI和常规SE T2WI在显示病变的SNR、CNR方面没有显著性差异。结论：SPIO增强后检测肝癌病灶的各种序列中，以GRE T2^*WI最为敏感，其次是双回波的T2WI＋PDWI序列。     

磁共振成像诊断肝脏病变:四种序列的比较

鉴于钆增强快速小角度激发成像(FLASH)对肝结节病变的检查已表现出优于常规T_2WI自旋回波成像以及超顺磁性铁氧化物对比剂(SPIO)的使用增强了MR检查的灵敏性等状况。作者比较了以下四种MR成像序列对于肝脏病变检查的价值。四种序列是脂肪抑制T_2WI SE,动态钆增强FLASH,非增强快速SE和SPIO增强快速SE。26例患者中男16例,女10例,年龄22～76岁。21例源于结肠、     

化学位移成像和反转恢复快速自旋回波成像在肝脏的应用价值

目的 评价化学位移成像和反转恢复快速自旋回波对肝脏病变的检出能力。材料与方法 45例肝脏病变患者在进行常规SE T1WI和半傅立叶采集单次激发快速自旋回波（half-fFourier acquistition single-shot turbo spin-echo,HASTE)T2WI的同时,加用化学位移成像T1WI和反转恢复HASTE（IR－HASTE）T2WI。比较图像的信噪比（SNR）、肝脾对比噪声比（L－S CNR）、病灶对比噪声比（CNR）及病灶检出率。结果 化学位移成像T1WI的SNR、L－S CNR及SE T1WI均无显著性差异（P＞0．05）,但却能检出SET1WI无法显示的局灶性脂肪浸润和脂肪肝。IR－HASTE的SNR与HASTE相近（P＞0．05）,前者的L－S CNR及实性病灶的CNR均显著高于后者（P＜0．05）,特别是对较小的实质性病灶。结论 化学位移成像T1WI能提高肝脂肪成分的检出率,IR－HASTE的SNR与HASTE相近（P＞0．05）,前者的L－S CNR及实性病灶的CNR均显著高于后者（P＜0．05）,特别是对较小的实质性病灶。结论 化学位移成像T1WI能提高肝脂肪成分的检出率,IR－HASTE能提高肝实性病变的检出率,两种成像方法可作为常规肝脏检查方法的有力补充。     

大鼠肝硬化肝癌SPIO增强MRI表现与Kupffer细胞的关系

目的：建立二乙基亚硝胺（DENA）诱导的大鼠肝硬化肝细胞癌（HCC）模型,探讨超顺磁性氧化铁（SPIO）增强MRI上肝硬化肝癌信号改变与肝Kupffer细胞（KCs）之间的关系。方法：22只大鼠肝硬化肝癌模型,其中6只为单纯性肝硬化,16只为肝硬化肝癌,对照组为10只清洁级Wistar雄性大白鼠,均行SPIO增强前后T1WI和T2WI扫描,并行病理检查（HE染色及普鲁士蓝染色）,分析肝脏Kupffer细胞数量与SPIO增强后信号之间的关系。结果：普鲁士兰染色切片上肝硬化组织内蓝染Kupffer细胞数量略减少,蓝色颗粒不均匀;高分化肝癌中Kupffer细胞减少,低分化肝癌Kupffer细胞显著减少甚至消失。肝癌与正常肝实质、硬化肝组织相比,Kupffer细胞数量减少,差异有显著性意义（P〈0．001）;正常肝实质与肝硬化组织内Kupffer细胞数量的差异无显著性意义（P＝0．088）。SPIO增强T2WI上,正常肝实质、肝硬化组织信号强度（SI）较增强前明显下降,信号强度下降百分比（PSIL）分别为42％和38％,两组间差异无统计学意义（P＝0．409）;肝癌信号强度较增强前无明显下降,PSIL为12％,明显低于正常肝实质和肝硬化组织（P〈0．001）;SPIO增强后肝癌对比噪声比（CNR）较增强前显著提高（P＝0．002）。SPIO增强T1WI上。正常肝实质及硬化肝组织PSIL分别为15％和6％,而肝癌的信号强度较增强前升高9％,部分小病灶呈不均匀轻度强化,肝癌CNR较增强前明显降低（P〈0．001）。SPIO增强T2WI上,肝组织PSIL与Kupffer细胞数量呈曲线趋势,随着组织内Kupffer细胞数量的增多病灶信号强度下降程度越明显,曲线估计3次模型决定系数R^2为0．920,有显著性意义（P〈0．001）。结论：SPIO增强T2WI上肝脏信号强度改变与Kupffer细胞数量及其吞噬功能有相关性,随着Kupffer细胞增多PSIL呈升高趋势。SPIO增强MRI不?     

SPIO与Gd-DTPA联合增强检测大鼠肝癌病灶的实验研究

目的 :观察联合使用SPIO和Gd DTPA对大鼠肝癌模型的增强特点。材料和方法 :制作 3 0只大鼠肝癌模型 ,增强前后行MR扫描 ,平扫序列包括SE、TSE、GRE的T1、T2WI序列。增强扫描分为 4组 ,其中Gd +SPIO联合增强组 10只 ,先注射Gd DTPA ,行SE、GRET1WI扫描 ,随后给予SPIO造影剂 ,扫描序列同平扫 ;SPIO +Gd联合增强组 10只 ,先注射SPIO ,行SE、GRET1WI扫描 ,12min后再给予Gd DTPA ,扫描序列同平扫 ;Gd、SPIO增强组各为 5只 ,增强扫描序列同平扫。分析各增强扫描组中病灶的增强特点。结果 :两种联合增强方法中 ,肝脏信号强度在所有扫描序列中均较平扫时下降 ,但与SPIO增强组无差异 ;病灶的SNR、CNR在SE、GRET1WI中明显高于平扫和SPIO、Gd DTPA增强法 ;在T2WI中病灶的SNR、CNR和单独使用SPIO无显著性差异。两种联合增强方法之间的SNR和CNR在每种扫描序列中没有显著性差异。结论 :SPIO和Gd DTPA联合增强方法利用了两种造影剂的优势 ,增加了肿瘤病变的对比 ,可提高发现病变的几率。     

肝脏特异性磁共振对比剂——菲立磁的临床应用初探

目的 探讨菲立磁增强MRI检查对肝脏疾病的临床应用价值。材料与方法 对22例经CT或MRI检查确定或怀疑有肝病变者进一步行菲立磁增强MRI检查,分别测量增强前后肝脏、病变及背景噪声的T2WI信号强度（SI）,计算增强前后肝脏及病变的信噪比（SNR）、对比噪声比（CNR）。结果 增强后肝脏的SI、SNR明显降低（P＜0．01）;恶性病变的SI、SNR变化不明显（P＞0．05）。囊肿、血管瘤增强后T2WI SI下降不明显。增强后病变－肝脏CNR比增强前明显增高（P＜0．01）。增强后0．5小时与3小时相比肝脏SNR以及CNR无差异（P＞0．05）。增强后病变的检出数量增加,而且其边界、大小显示更清楚。结论 菲立磁增强磁共振扫描可显著降低肝脏T2WI SI,而对恶性肿瘤T2WI信号的影响不明显,显著提高了恶性肿瘤－肝脏的CNR。因此,它对恶性肿瘤的检出及定性诊断具有临床意义。     

菲立磁增强MRI在肝脏局灶性病变诊断中的价值

目的 评价菲立磁增强MRI在肝脏实性占位性病变诊断中的应用价值。材料与方法 对21例怀疑有肝脏局灶性占位病变患者行MR平行及菲立磁增强MRI检查。扫描序列包括频率选择脂肪抑制及非脂肪抑制ASTE T2WI、True FISP T2WI、频率选择脂肪抑制FLASH T1WI。比较增强前后T2WI及T2WI病灶及肝脏的信噪比（SNR）及对比噪声比（CNR）;观察增强前后病灶数量及形态;结合MR平扫及增强MRI表现进行定性诊断。结果 菲立磁增强T2WI及T2WI肝脏信号强度较平扫明显下降,病灶与肝脏的CNR较平扫明显提高,差异具有统计学意义。结论 菲立磁增强T2WI及T2WI可明显提高肝脏实性占位性病灶的检出率。菲立磁增强T1WI在脏局灶性病变的定性诊断中具有潜在价值,有待于进一步开发与研究。     

几种肝脏病变的MRI菲立磁增强表现及诊断价值

目的:探讨菲立磁(SPIO)增强在肝脏病变中的诊断价值。方法:16例患者行SPIO增强的MRI检查,其中6例为海绵状血管瘤,不均匀脂肪肝4例,肝细胞癌(HCC)3例,局灶结节增生(FNH)、肝腺瘤及肝转移瘤各1例。结果:与MRI平扫相比,肝内海绵状血管瘤在SPIO增强后的T1WI上信号明显增高,而在T2WI上信号强度有轻度下降;在不均匀脂肪肝的病例中,增强后兴趣区与周围肝组织的信号强度对比关系延续了增强前的表现;肝腺瘤和FNH在增强后的T2WI上有明显的信号强度下降:HCC在增强后的T2WI上常无明显信号下降,而在T1WI上却有轻度信号升高;转移瘤在T2WI上无信号下降。结论:SPIO强化MRI对肝内病变的良恶性鉴别诊断有一定的帮助。     

肝胆特异性磁共振对比剂Gd-EOB-DTPA在肝脏局灶性病变诊断中的应用研究

目的:探讨Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI增强扫描时肝局灶性病变的表现及此新型对比剂的诊断效能,提高对肝脏局灶性病变的诊断准确性。方法:已知或怀疑为肝脏局灶性病变的34例患者共90个病灶,病灶性质依次为肝囊肿20个、肝细胞肝癌16个、胆管细胞癌1个、肝脏转移性肿瘤37个、肝血管瘤9个、退变结节1个、肝脏局灶性结节增生1个、肝细胞腺瘤1个、肝脏炎性病变3个及肝脏淋巴上皮瘤样癌1个。所有患者依次行MRI平扫(抑脂TSE T2WI、抑脂3DVIBE、2DGRE T1WI)、Gd-EOB-DTPA三期(动脉期、门脉期和平衡期)增强扫描(抑脂3DVIBE)及延迟20min肝实质期扫描(抑脂2DGRE T1WI、抑脂TSE T2WI、抑脂3DVIBE)。测量并分析Gd-EOB-DTPA增强前后肝脏和病灶信号变化、病灶-肝脏对比噪声比绝对值(|CNR|)变化情况,并观察病灶Gd-EOB-DTPA增强扫描表现和特征。结果:Gd-EOB-DT-PA增强后各期肝实质信号及病灶-肝脏|CNR|均显著增加(P<0.001)。动脉期、门脉期和平衡期所有病灶符合应用常规含钆(Gd)对比剂时的强化表现和特征;延迟20min肝实质期扫描时,肝脏局灶性结节增生呈等信号-高信号,1个肝细胞肝癌呈相对高信号,其余肝囊肿、肝细胞肝癌、胆管细胞癌、肝脏转移性肿瘤、淋巴上皮瘤样癌、退变结节、肝细胞腺瘤、肝血管瘤和肝脏炎性假瘤等均呈相对低信号。结论:Gd-EOB-DTPA动态增强扫描与延迟肝实质期扫描联合应用,可以提供病变形态、血供、细胞来源及功能等更多相关信息,从而提高诊断信心及诊断准确性。     

Focal nodular hyperplasia: lesion characteristics on state-of-the-art MRI including dynamic gadolinium-enhanced and superparamagnetic iron-oxide-uptake sequences in a prospective study

PURPOSE: To image a cohort of patients with pathology-proven focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) to assess which characteristics of state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver are the most useful for improving the detection and characterization of FNH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 14 patients, pathology-proven FNH (N=33) were prospectively examined using gadolinium (Gd) and superparamagnetic iron-oxide (SPIO) contrast media. All lesions were evaluated for signal intensity (SI), fatty infiltration, central scar, mode of enhancement with Gd, and uptake of SPIO. The percentage of dynamic contrast enhancement in the arterial, portal, and delayed phases was assessed. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) before and after administration of SPIO contrast was calculated. RESULTS: The SI of the lesions was low to isointense on T1-weighted (T1W) images, and intermediate to isointense on T2W images. Fatty infiltration of the lesions was present in 6%. The percentages of enhancement in the liver and lesion were 110%, 115%, and 95%, and 151%, 182%, and 160%, respectively (P<0.0001). All lesions showed uptake of SPIO with improved conspicuity of the central scar and septa. The CNR values precontrast and post-Gd/SPIO were significantly different for T1 in- and opposed-phase and black-blood echo-planar imaging (BBEPI). CONCLUSION: Combining dynamic Gd-enhanced imaging with T1W and T2W sequences after administration of SPIO facilitates comprehensive evaluation of FNH.     

Liver-specific MR contrast agents: current status and prospects]

Liver-specific MR contrast agents include superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles and hepatobiliary paramagnetic agents. SPIO particles are phagocytosed by reticuloendothelial cells in the liver, resulting in negative enhancement of the liver parenchyma on T2- or T2*-weighted images. Ferumoxides and related iron oxide formulations have been tested clinically throughout the world, and have been demonstrated to improve the detection and characterization of hepatic neoplasms. Hepatobiliary paramagnetic agents are partially taken up by hepatocytes, yielding positive, sustained enhancement of the liver parenchyma on T1-weighted images. These agents are referred to as "value-added" versions of extracellular gadolinium compounds because they increase tumor-liver contrast in both the perfusion phase and hepatobiliary phase. Although only ferumoxides are currently available for clinical use, many agents are in the pipeline. The possibility of "one-stop shopping" diagnosis by liver-specific MR contrast agents is an attractive alternative to the existing multistep diagnosis in liver imaging. Further studies to analyze the cost-benefit ratio will follow, to determine whether liver-specific MR contrast agents lead to change in patient treatment and whether such a decision would be reliable.     

利用自旋回波平面成像T_2加权序列提高肝脏实性病变的检出率

目的　评价自旋回波平面成像 (SE EPI)T2 W序列对肝脏实性病变的检出能力。方法74例病人 (2 0 2个病灶 )接受肝脏 3种SE EPIT2 W序列磁共振扫描 ,评价其图像信噪比 (SNR)、肝脾对比噪声比 (L SCNR)、病灶对比噪声比 (CNR)及病变检出率 ,并与真实稳态进动快速成像 (true FISP)、快速自旋回波 (TSE)及半傅立叶采集单次激发快速自旋回波 (HASTE)等屏气T2 W序列相比较。结果SE EPI的SNR高于TSE (P <0 0 5 ) ,与true FISP相近 (P >0 0 5 ) ,但低于HASTE(P <0 0 1)。SE EPI序列的L SCNR及实性病变的CNR均显著高于true FISP、HASTE及TSE(P <0 0 1)。对于囊性病变 ,各序列间的检出率无明显差异 (P >0 0 5 )。各序列均检出所有直径大于 5cm的实性病变。直径 2～ 5cm的实性病变 ,SE EPI序列的检出率略高于true FISP、HASTE及TSE ,但无显著性差异 (P >0 0 5 )。直径小于 2cm的实性病灶 ,SE EPI序列的检出率 (93 9% )明显高于true FISP(5 7 6 % )、HASTE(71 2 % )及TSE(6 8 2 % ) (P <0 0 1)。结论　与其他屏气T2 W序列相比 ,SE EPIT2 WI有较高的病灶对比 ,能提高肝脏实性病变的检出率     

Hepatic lesion detection after superparamagnetic iron oxide enhancement: comparison of five T2-weighted sequences at 1.0 T by using alternative-free response receiver operating characteristic analysis

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of five T2-weighted sequences in the detection of liver lesion at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) enhancement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-nine candidates for hepatic resection with known coloretal metastases were examined. Before SPIO enhancement, fast spin-echo (SE) images were obtained. After enhancement, the same fast SE sequence and long; TR/short TE, short TE, long TR/TE, and T2-weighted fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequences were used. All images were viewed independently by four observers who were blinded to the results of the other imaging sequences, the results of the other observers, and the findings at surgery and histopathologic examination. Four weeks after the initial reading, the combined long TR/short TE and long TR/TE dual-echo images were also viewed as an additional set. The alternative free response receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method was used to analyze the results, which were correlated with findings at surgery, intraoperative ultrasonography, and histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Irrespective of lesion size, the accuracy of all sequences after enhancement was significantly greater than that of the nonenhanced fast SE sequence (P < .01). Dual-echo and FLASH sequences were significantly more accurate than the enhanced fast SE sequence (P < .03 or P < .02, respectively). For all lesions, lesions smaller than 1 cm, and lesions 1 cm or larger, mean accuracies were as follows: dual-echo, 0.75, 0.54, and 0.93; FLASH, 0.75, 0.54, and 0.95; and enhanced fast SE, 0.72, 0.49, and 0.92. CONCLUSION: At 1.0 T, dual-echo and FLASH sequences are the most accurate pulse sequences after SPIO enhancement.     

家兔超急性期放射性肝损伤MRI表现与病理对照研究

目的　探讨超急性期放射性肝损伤MRI表现及其病理基础 ,评估MRI平扫及菲立磁增强扫描检出放射性肝损伤的时间效能。材料与方法　 18只家兔随机分成 3组后均给予 4 0Gy单次X线半肝照射 ,第 1组于照射后第1d、第 2、3组分别于照射后第 2、3d行肝区MRITSE T2 WI及TSE T1WI两个序列的平扫及菲立磁增强扫描 ,同时取材做组织学检查。对MRI表现与病理组织学检查结果进行对照分析。结果　所有家兔T2 WI及T1WI平扫、T1WI菲立磁增强扫描肝组织信号强度均未发现变化。T2 WI菲立磁增强扫描对放射性肝损伤的检出时间为照射后第 3d(P <0 .0 1) ,表现为肝组织信号强度受照区与非受照区均较T2 WI平扫时降低 ,但受照区肝组织信号强度较非受照区高 ,两者间可见分界线。所有家兔受照区肝组织在光镜下未见明确组织水肿、纤维化及炎症细胞浸润等病理征象 ,但其单位视野面积内含有SPIO颗粒的Kupffer细胞数在照射后第 3d明显低于非受照区 (P <0 .0 1)。电镜下 ,照射后第 3d的受照区肝细胞及Kupffer细胞内见线粒体明显肿胀伴局部空泡样变。结论　T2 WI菲立磁增强扫描在照射后短时间内 (照射后第 3d)即可检出超急性期放射性肝损伤 ,并能提供直观、精细的影像学依据     

Contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the liver: Comparison between Gd-BOPTA and mangafodipir

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the MR contrast agents gadolinium benzyloxypropionictetro-acetate (Gd-BOPTA) and Mangafodipir for liver enhancement and the lesion-liver contrast on T1W spin-echo (SE) and gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) images. Fifty-one patients (three groups of 17 patients each) with known or suspected liver lesions were evaluated with T1W SE (300/12) and GRE (77-80/2.3-2.5/80°) images before and after intravenous (IV) Gd-BOPTA (0.1 or 0.05 mmol/kg) or Mangafodipir (5 μmol/kg) in phase II to III clinical trials. Quantitative analysis by calculating liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), lesion-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and spleen-liver CNR was performed. Liver SNR and spleen-liver CNR were always significantly increased postcontrast. SNR was highest after application of 0.1 mmol/kg Gd-BOPTA (51.3 ± 3.6, P < .05). CNR was highest after Mangafodipir (?22.6 ± 2.7), but this was not significantly different from others (P = .07). Overall, GRE images were superior to SE images for SNR and CNR. Mangafodipir and Gd-BOPTA (0.1 mmol/kg) provide equal liver enhancement and lesion conspicuity postcontrast. By all criteria, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted GRE were comparable to SE images.     

Detection of focal hepatic lesions: comparison of unenhanced and SHU 555 A-enhanced MR imaging versus biphasic helical CTAP

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic sensitivity of unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and MR imaging with a new superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced contrast agent (SHU 555 A) with biphasic helical computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP) in patients with focal liver lesions. Eighteen patients with a total of 91 (78 malignant, 13 benign) proven liver lesions underwent unenhanced short tau inversion recovery (STIR), T2-weighted (T2-w) TSE, and SHU 555 A-enhanced T2-w turbo spin-echo (TSE) MR imaging and biphasic helical CTAP. The standard of reference was histopathologic analysis of resected specimens in 59 lesions, intraoperative ultrasound with biopsy in 20 lesions, and CT-guided biopsy and follow-up in 12 lesions. Diagnostic performance of the imaging modalities was compared quantitatively and qualitatively by assessing lesion involvement in liver segments. There were 68 lesions detected on unenhanced T2-w TSE, which resulted in a sensitivity of 75%. With the STIR sequence, 76 lesions were detected, for a sensitivity of 84%, and with SHU 555 A-enhanced MRI, 84 lesions were detected, for a sensitivity of 92%. CTAP detected 88 lesions, for a sensitivity of 97%. The accuracy for unenhanced T2-w TSE was 98%, for STIR 99%, for enhanced-MRI 100%, and for CTAP 95%. The specificity was 100% for SHU 555 A-enhanced MRI and 95% for CTAP. SHU 555 A-enhanced MRI was superior to nonenhanced MRI (P < 0.05) and equivalent to CTAP in terms of sensitivity. Due to the absence of false-positive results on SHU 555 A-enhanced MRI, the specificity and accuracy of enhanced MRI were higher than those of CTAP, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.134).     

Superparamagnetic iron oxides and low molecular weight gadolinium chelates are synergistic for direct visualization of advanced liver fibrosis

PURPOSE: To compare the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of advanced liver fibrosis on nonenhanced (NE), gadolinium enhanced (Gd), superparamagnetic iron oxides enhanced (SPIO), and combined contrast-enhanced (CCE) spoiled gradient echoes (SGEs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study assessed 83 consecutive patients with cirrhosis and 10 consecutive patients without fibrosis. All patients had NE, Gd, SPIO, and CCE images at 1.5 T. A total of six breathhold SGE sequences with varying imaging parameters were assessed. MR images were evaluated qualitatively and, in 15 cirrhotics who underwent liver transplantation, compared to gross pathology. CNR of fibrosis to background liver was compared across sequences and contrast enhancement types. RESULTS: In cirrhotic patients, CCE images on all sequences showed fibrosis as a meshwork of high-signal 1-mm to 3-mm thick reticulations surrounding 2-mm to 5-mm low-signal regenerative nodules. Fibrosis was less visible on Gd and SPIO images and was barely visible on NE images. CNR was significantly higher for CCE than for NE, Gd, or SPIO images in eight of nine comparisons (P < 0.0001-0.05). The liver had a homogeneous appearance in subjects without fibrosis. CONCLUSION: CCE imaging depicts advanced liver fibrosis with higher CNR than NE, Gd, or SPIO SGEs.