Assessment of Focal Liver Lesions with 4-Phase Dynamic FLASH MR Imaging: Usefulness of Early Image Acquisitionfor Characterization of Arterial Phase.
10.3348/jkrs.1998.39.4.717
- Author:
Byung June JO
1
;
Jeong Sik YU
;
Ki Whang KIM
;
Tae Hoon KIM
;
Ji Hyung KIM
;
Sei Jung OH
;
Chang Su AHN
;
Su Yun CHUNG
;
Ho Chul LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Liver neoplasms, MR;
Magnetic resonance(MR), pulse sequence;
Magnetic resonance(MR), technology
- MeSH:
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular;
Hemangioma;
Humans;
Liver*;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*;
Neoplasm Metastasis
- From:Journal of the Korean Radiological Society
1998;39(4):717-724
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To document the usefulness of early image acquisition using the contrast-enhanced dynacic MR imagingfor characterization of various focal hepatic lesions during the arterial phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Seventy-nine patients with 145 focal liver lesions (71 hemangiomas, 59 hepatocellular carcinomas and 15metastases) underwent breathhold dynamic MR imaging using a fast low-angle shot sequence. After obtainingunenhanced T1-weighted images, four phase MR images were obtained 10, 35, 60 and 300 seconds after starting theinjection. Patterns of contrast enhancement were analyzed for each lesion, with an emphasis on first phase images. RESULTS: Forty-two of the 59 HCCs (71%) showed prominent contrast enhancement during the first phase. HCCssmaller than 2cm in diameter showed a more homogeneous enhancement pattern than those which measured 2cm ormore(24/25 vs 12/17;P<.05). Hemangiomas showed a globular enhancement pattern during the same phase in 51 of 71cases (72%), a finding which was more apparent in those whose diameter was 2cm or more(35/54 vs 16/17, p<.05).During the first phase of imaging, 12 of the 15 metastases showed peripheral enhancement of their thick rim. CONCLUSION: The use of early image acquisition on dynamic MR sequences is helpful in character-izing lesionsaccrding to their pattern of contrast enhancement.
