SPIO-MR imaging versus double-phase spiral CT in detecting malignant lesions of the liver

To assess the diagnostic performance of superparamagnetic iron oxide MR (SPIO-MR) imaging compared with double-phase spiral CT in detecting liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Thirty-eight patients with a total of 144 malignant lesions of the liver were examined by CT and SPIO-MR. After definition of a gold standard by a panel of experts, the patient images were randomized and presented to a blinded jury of 5 independent observers whose task was to identify as many lesions as possible. The results were tested for statistical significance using multifactorial analysis of variance (alpha=5%).

SPIO-MR produced the highest detection rate and was significantly superior (p<0.05) to unenhanced MR imaging and double spiral-phase contrast-enhanced CT (DPS-CECT). Maximum performance in DPS-CECT was obtained during the portal venous contrast phase but was significantly inferior to SPIO-MR imaging. The scores for unenhanced CT and unenhanced MR were significantly lower than for the corresponding enhanced procedures. SPIO-MR imaging produced a higher incidence of false-positive findings (n=39).

SPIO-MR produced a significantly better detection rate for malignant focal liver lesions compared with double-phase spiral DPS-CECT but was associated with a higher rate of false-positive findings.