Preliminary Experience Using Dynamic MRI at 3.0 Tesla for Evaluation of Soft Tissue Tumors.
10.3348/kjr.2013.14.1.102
- Author:
Michael Yong PARK
1
;
Won Hee JEE
;
Sun Ki KIM
;
So Yeon LEE
;
Joon Yong JUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 137-701, Korea. whjee@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI;
Soft tissue tumor;
MRI;
Time signal intensity curve;
Maximal relative enhancement;
Maximal peak enhancement
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Contrast Media/diagnostic use;
Diagnosis, Differential;
Female;
Gadolinium DTPA/diagnostic use;
Humans;
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Soft Tissue Neoplasms/*pathology;
Statistics, Nonparametric;
Subtraction Technique
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology
2013;14(1):102-109
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the use of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) at 3.0 T for differentiating the benign from malignant soft tissue tumors. Also we aimed to assess whether the shorter length of DCE-MRI protocols are adequate, and to evaluate the effect of temporal resolution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, at 3.0 T with a 1 second temporal resolution in 13 patients with pathologically confirmed soft tissue tumors, was analyzed. Visual assessment of time-signal curves, subtraction images, maximal relative enhancement at the first (maximal peak enhancement [Emax]/1) and second (Emax/2) minutes, Emax, steepest slope calculated by using various time intervals (5, 30, 60 seconds), and the start of dynamic enhancement were analyzed. RESULTS: The 13 tumors were comprised of seven benign and six malignant soft tissue neoplasms. Washout on time-signal curves was seen on three (50%) malignant tumors and one (14%) benign one. The most discriminating DCE-MRI parameter was the steepest slope calculated, by using at 5-second intervals, followed by Emax/1 and Emax/2. All of the steepest slope values occurred within 2 minutes of the dynamic study. Start of dynamic enhancement did not show a significant difference, but no malignant tumor rendered a value greater than 14 seconds. CONCLUSION: The steepest slope and early relative enhancement have the potential for differentiating benign from malignant soft tissue tumors. Short-length rather than long-length DCE-MRI protocol may be adequate for our purpose. The steepest slope parameters require a short temporal resolution, while maximal peak enhancement parameter may be more optimal for a longer temporal resolution.