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Gadolinium-DTPA enhanced echoplanar MR imaging of the liver: preliminary observations
D A Gervais1, S Saini, P F Hahn
1Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Abstract:
This study describes our preliminary experience with dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced echoplaner MR imaging (EPI) in fifteen patients with focal liver lesions. Lesion diagnosis was established by histology (n = 3) or typical imaging characteristics (exclusive of the EPI study) combined with clinical follow up (n = 12). Dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine (0.1 mmol/kg) enhanced MR imaging was performed on a commercially available 1.5 T EPI equipped MR system using a single-excitation fat-suppressed inversion recovery pulse sequence. The choice of an IR sequence allowed nulling of the lesion signal by varying T1 prior to enhancement creating the optimal conditions for qualitative inspection of the enhancement profile. Intershot delay (defined as TR) ranged from 1-5s. Image analysis was performed qualitatively by two radiologists. Benign and malignant lesions displayed temporal enhancement profiles compatible with characteristic findings expected with conventional imaging modalities. Further refinements in our technique and expanded system capabilities will allow dynamic imaging of the entire liver with improved temporal resolution over conventional sequences.
Insights
Dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced echoplanar MR imaging (EPI) shows promise for characterizing focal liver lesions. This preliminary study found distinct enhancement patterns for benign and malignant lesions, suggesting its potential clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Hepatology
Background:
- Focal liver lesions require accurate characterization for appropriate patient management.
- Conventional imaging modalities may have limitations in definitively diagnosing certain liver lesions.
- Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI offers potential for improved lesion assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the preliminary experience with dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced echoplanar MR imaging (EPI) for focal liver lesions.
- To assess the ability of EPI MRI to differentiate between benign and malignant liver lesions based on enhancement patterns.
- To explore the potential of EPI MRI as an advanced imaging technique for liver lesion diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen patients with focal liver lesions underwent dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced EPI MRI.
- Lesion diagnosis was confirmed by histology or clinical follow-up.
- A 1.5 T EPI MR system with a fat-suppressed inversion recovery (IR) pulse sequence was utilized.
- Image analysis focused on qualitative assessment of lesion enhancement profiles.
Main Results:
- Dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced EPI MRI demonstrated characteristic temporal enhancement profiles for both benign and malignant lesions.
- The observed enhancement patterns were consistent with those expected from conventional imaging techniques.
- The IR sequence facilitated optimal conditions for evaluating lesion enhancement.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine enhanced EPI MRI is a feasible technique for evaluating focal liver lesions.
- The study suggests that EPI MRI can provide valuable information for lesion characterization.
- Further technical refinements and system advancements are expected to enhance the capabilities of dynamic liver MRI.