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Hepatic metastases: CT versus MR imaging at 1.5T
V G Vassiliades1, W D Foley, J Alarcon
1Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.
Gastrointestinal Radiology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrated higher sensitivity for detecting small hepatic metastases compared to computed tomography (CT) and T1-weighted MR. However, CT showed greater sensitivity for extrahepatic disease detection.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Hepatic metastases detection is crucial for cancer patient management.
- Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are primary modalities for liver lesion evaluation.
- Optimizing imaging techniques for hepatic metastases is an ongoing area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively compare the sensitivity of 1.5T high-field MR imaging and various CT protocols in detecting hepatic metastases.
- To evaluate the performance of T1-weighted and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) MR sequences against noncontrast, dynamic, and delayed CT.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, multi-institutional study involving 69 oncology patients.
- Comparison of T1-weighted and T2-weighted SE MR images with noncontrast, dynamic, and delayed CT scans.
- Statistical analysis to determine significant differences in sensitivity for hepatic metastases detection.
Main Results:
- T2-weighted SE MR (78%) showed higher sensitivity than noncontrast CT (57%) and T1-weighted SE MR (47%).
- Dynamic CT (71%) and delayed CT (72%) demonstrated comparable sensitivity to T2-weighted SE MR.
- T2-weighted SE MR was significantly more sensitive for small lesions (<1 cm), while CT excelled in detecting extrahepatic disease.
Conclusions:
- T2-weighted spin-echo MR imaging at 1.5T is superior to T1-weighted sequences for detecting hepatic metastases.
- T2-weighted SE MR and advanced CT techniques offer comparable sensitivity for overall hepatic metastases detection.
- The choice between CT and MR may depend on the specific clinical question, including the detection of extrahepatic disease.