Benign hepatocellular tumors: MRI after superparamagnetic iron oxide administration
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C Grandin1, B E Van Beers, A Robert
1Department of Radiology, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.
Objective:
Our goal was to describe the features of benign hepatocellular tumors on superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MR images and to evaluate the potential role of SPIO administration in the diagnosis of these tumors.
Materials And Methods:
The T1- and T2-weighted SE images were performed before and after SPIO administration in 19 patients with focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) or adenomas. The lesions were counted and qualitatively assessed. In 32 tumors with a diameter of > 10 mm, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and the liver and tumor enhancement were calculated.
Results:
Thirty-seven tumors were detected on MR images: 29 before and 36 after SPIO administration (p < 0.05). The SPIO-enhanced T1-weighted images provided the highest detection rate and CNR. The central scar was most conspicuous on SPIO-enhanced T2-weighted images. Most FNHs and adenomas lost less signal than the liver, three tumors did not lose signal, and four FNHs showed a signal loss equal to or greater than that of the liver.
Conclusion:
The SPIO-enhanced T1-weighted images increased the CNR and the detection rate of benign hepatocellular tumors. On T2-weighted images, most benign hepatocellular tumors showed a signal decrease after SPIO administration. No significant difference in signal loss was observed between FNH and adenomas.
Insights
Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MRI improves the detection and diagnosis of benign liver tumors like focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and adenomas. SPIO-enhanced T1-weighted images offer the best contrast-to-noise ratio for these lesions.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Hepatology
Background:
- Benign hepatocellular tumors, including focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and adenomas, can be challenging to diagnose.
- Accurate characterization is crucial for appropriate patient management and avoiding unnecessary interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the imaging features of benign hepatocellular tumors using superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MRI.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of SPIO administration in differentiating these liver lesions.
Main Methods:
- T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) MRI sequences were acquired before and after SPIO administration in 19 patients with FNH or adenomas.
- Lesion detection, qualitative assessment, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and liver/tumor enhancement were evaluated for 37 tumors.
Main Results:
- SPIO-enhanced MRI detected more tumors (36) compared to pre-contrast scans (29).
- SPIO-enhanced T1-weighted images yielded the highest detection rate and CNR.
- The central scar of FNH was most visible on SPIO-enhanced T2-weighted images.
Conclusions:
- SPIO-enhanced T1-weighted MRI significantly improves CNR and detection rates for benign hepatocellular tumors.
- Most FNHs and adenomas showed decreased signal on T2-weighted images post-SPIO.
- No significant difference in signal loss was found between FNH and adenomas after SPIO administration.