Diagnostic Value Of Multihance (Gd-BOPTA) Enhanced MR Imaging In Hepatocarcinoma

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic value of gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA)-enhanced magnetic resonance(MR) imaging with multi-detector helical CT(MDCT), and to analyze the potential of Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MR imaging for the detection and characterization of liver lesions.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients with hepatic lesions in Huaxi hospital of Sichuan University from August,2003 to March,2004 were evaluated . Conventional axial dual-phase enhanced scanning was performed in MDCT examination. Flash and haste sequences were performed before enhancement, the same flash sequences were performed during and after the intravenous administration of 0.1mmol/kg (0.2ml/kg) Gd-BOPTA 60-80 minutes later. The potential of lesion detection and characterization were analyzed among MDCT; nonenhaced and dynamic MRI together ; and combined MRI(nonenhanced, dynamic and static MRI). The relative enhancement ratio of the 27 primary hepatocarcinoma lesions was calculated.Rresults: For lesion detection the sensitivity of MDCT; nonenhaced anddynamic MRI together; and combined MRI was 74 % > 80 % ^ 95 % respectively. The combined MRI was superior to the others (P<0.05). For the characterization of the malignant lesions, the accuracy wa69% > 75 %n 92 % respectively. The combined MRI was superior to the others(PO.05). The sensitivity for the characterization was 69% ^ 76% > 93% respectively; the specificity for the characterization was 71!^ 715^ 88% respectively. No significant difference was found among the three groups with regard to the specificity and sensitivity. The relative enhancement ratio of all the 27 primary hepatocarcinoma lesions was <1 after enhancement.CONCLUSION: The detection and characterization of hepatic lesions were improved by Gd-BOPTA enhanced MRI compared with MDCT.