Clinical application of diffusion weighted MR imaging in follow-up of patients receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for liver cancer
- Author:
Zheng YUAN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging;
Follow-up;
Liver neoplasms;
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization
- From:
Academic Journal of Second Military Medical University
2010;28(9):983-987
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) application in follow-up of patients receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for liver cancer and its clinical value. Methods: DWI and routine non-enhanced MRI were performed in 16 liver cancer patients after TACE with the same SE-EPI sequence (b=500 s/mm2 and 0) on 1.5 T MRI. The numbers of the new lesions detected by DWI, T1 WI and T2 WI were counted. Contrast noise ratios (CNR) between new lesions and liver tissues on DWI and T2 WI were calculated and compared. The efficacy of SWI in diagnosis of residual tumor and recurrent cancer was qualitatively evaluated by comparing with DSA results. Results: DWI revealed 46 new lesions, T2 WI revealed 43, and T1 WI revealed 38. There was significant difference in CNR between new lesions and liver tissues on DWI and T2 WI (P < 0.05). The signal intensities of liver cancer on DWI were complicated after TACE. Homogeneous accumulation of iodized oil was observed on DSA in 2 of 16 patients with liver cancer after TACE; there was no tumor staining on DSA at the corresponding site of homogeneous hypointensity on DWI. Partial defect of accumulation of iodized oil was noticed in 2 of 16 patients; there was tumor staining on DSA at the corresponding site of hyperintensity on DWI. No or faint accumulation of iodized oil was noticed in 12 patients; there was strong tumor staining at the corresponding site of hyperintensity on DWI; necrosis tumor had no or slight tumor staining on DSA at the corresponding site of hypointensity on DWI. Conclusion: Diffusion MRI is a sensitive method for detecting new lesions in patients with liver cancer after TACE, and can be used to monitor residual, recurrent cancer and iodized oil accumulation during follow-up of patients after TACE.
