Related Experiment Videos
Can a multiphasic contrast-enhanced three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequence be sufficient for
Curtis H Coulam1, Frandics P Chan, King C P Li
1Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr., Rm. H1307, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|January 24, 2002
Summary
A multiphasic contrast-enhanced 3D fast spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequence alone effectively detects most focal liver lesions. Additional T1- and T2-weighted sequences offer minimal detection improvement but aid in lesion characterization.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Hepatology
Background:
- Accurate detection and characterization of focal liver lesions are crucial for patient management.
- Multiphasic contrast-enhanced 3D fast spoiled gradient-recalled echo (3D FSPGR) sequences are increasingly used in liver MRI.
- The added value of additional sequences for liver lesion evaluation requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a multiphasic gadolinium-enhanced 3D FSPGR sequence alone for detecting and characterizing focal liver lesions.
- To compare the performance of the 3D FSPGR sequence with a comprehensive liver MRI protocol including T1- and T2-weighted sequences.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 61 abdominal MR imaging examinations.
- All examinations included unenhanced T1-weighted, unenhanced fat-suppressed T2-weighted, and multiphasic gadolinium-enhanced 3D FSPGR sequences.
- Lesion detection and characterization were compared between the 3D FSPGR sequence alone and the combined sequences, with the latter serving as the gold standard.
Main Results:
- A total of 114 focal liver lesions were identified.
- The 3D FSPGR sequence alone detected 81% of all lesions and 97% of non-cyst lesions.
- Additional T1- and T2-weighted sequences minimally increased the overall detection rate but were helpful for characterizing lesions in 24% of patients.
Conclusions:
- A multiphasic contrast-enhanced 3D FSPGR sequence alone is highly effective for detecting most clinically significant focal liver lesions.
- While additional unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted sequences provide marginal benefits in lesion detection, they are valuable for lesion characterization.