The diagnosis of splenic lymphoma by MR imaging: value of superparamagnetic iron oxide

This study was designed to evaluate superparamagnetic iron oxide (AMI-25) as a contrast agent for MR to distinguish normal spleens from those diffusely infiltrated by lymphoma. As diffuse splenic involvement lacks visible tumor-tissue boundaries, signal-intensity measurements of spleens were used as a diagnostic criterion in 33 patients (lymphoma, n = 8; benign splenomegaly, n = 5; normal subjects, n = 20). Unenhanced MR images were insensitive (four of eight patients) and nonspecific (20 of 25 patients) in the diagnosis of lymphoma. After injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide (40 mumol Fe/kg), lymphomatous spleens showed a significantly higher signal intensity (p less than .05) than did normal spleens or spleens enlarged by benign disease (hepatic cirrhosis, n = 4; spherocytosis, n = 1). Changes in splenic MR signal intensity unambiguously identified eight of eight lymphomatous spleens and 25 of 25 normal or enlarged spleens that did not contain lymphoma. Phagocytosis of superparamagnetic iron oxide in lymphomatous spleens is reduced because of diffuse displacement of splenic macrophages by lymphoma cells and/or by immunologic suppression of macrophage activity. Our results suggest that superparamagnetic iron oxide (AMI-25) can improve the accuracy of MR imaging in the diagnosis of splenic lymphoma. With further development, this noninvasive technique may reduce the need for diagnostic splenectomy in lymphoma patients.