The goal of this study was compare the effect of
Endorem on the signal intensity of the spleen in patients with normal liver tissue and in patients with
liver cirrhosis. Thirty patients with normal liver tissue and 47 with
liver cirrhosis were examined before and after i.v.
Endorem administration. The patients were examined with a 1.5-T magnet system (Magnetom Vision) using a semiflexible cp-array coil. Three different pulse sequences were used: a T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence, a T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence with spectral fat suppression, and a T2*-weighted gradient-echo sequence. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of two areas of the liver and spleen were determined. The mean SNRs of the liver and spleen in patients with and without
liver cirrhosis were compared. For assessment of statistical significance, the t-test at a level of P < 0.05 was applied. After i.v. administration of
Endorem, no differences were seen with the T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence for the liver and spleen and, with the T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence, no differences were found for the spleen. Significant differences between both groups were seen for the liver with the T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence. The SNR in the noncirrhotic liver group was 57.4% lower than the SNR in the cirrhotic liver group. With the T2*-weighted gradient-echo sequence, the SNRs of the liver and spleen in the noncirrhotic liver group, compared with the cirrhotic liver group, were 126.8% and 45.6% less, respectively. The effect of
Endorem on the liver in patients with Child C-stage
liver cirrhosis was 32.1% less than in patients with Child B-stage
liver cirrhosis. Likewise, the
Endorem effect on the spleen was 27.1% less in patients with Child C-stage compared with Child B-stage
liver cirrhosis. Hepatic and splenic uptake of
Endorem is significantly decreased in patients with
liver cirrhosis.