Abstract | PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of semiquantitative measurement of liver perfusion from analysis of ferucarbotran induced signal-dynamics in double-contrast liver MR-imaging (DC-MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total 31 patients (21 men; 58 ± 10 years) including 18 patients with biopsy proven liver cirrhosis prospectively underwent clinically indicated DC-MRI at 1.5 Tesla (T) with dynamic T2-weighted gradient-echo imaging after ferucarbotran bolus injection. Breathing artefacts in tissue and input time curves were reduced by Savitzky-Golay-filtering and semiquantitative perfusion maps were calculated using a model free approach. Hepatic blood flow index (HBFI) and splenic blood flow index ( SBFI) were determined by normalization of arbitrary perfusion values to the perfusion of the erector spinae muscle resulting in a semiquantitative perfusion measure. RESULTS: In 30 of 31 patients the evaluated protocol could successfully be applied. Mean HBF was 7.7 ± 2.46 (range, 4.6-12.8) and mean SBF was 13.20 ± 2.57 (range, 8.5-17.8). A significantly lower total HBF was seen in patients with cirrhotic livers as compared to patients with noncirrhotic livers (P < 0.05). In contrast, similar SBF was observed in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients (P = 0.11). CONCLUSION: Capturing the signal dynamics during bolus injection of ferucarbotran in DC-MRI of the liver allows for semiquantitative assessment of hepatic perfusion that may be helpful for a more precise characterisation of liver cirrhosis and focal liver lesions.
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Authors | Michael A Fischer, Olivio F Donati, Caecilia S Reiner, Roger Hunziker, Daniel Nanz, Andreas Boss |
Journal | Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI
(J Magn Reson Imaging)
Vol. 36
Issue 1
Pg. 168-76
(Jul 2012)
ISSN: 1522-2586 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 22334302
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
Chemical References |
- Contrast Media
- Dextrans
- Magnetite Nanoparticles
- ferumoxides
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Topics |
- Blood Flow Velocity
- Contrast Media
(administration & dosage)
- Dextrans
(administration & dosage)
- Feasibility Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Image Enhancement
(methods)
- Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
(methods)
- Injections, Intravenous
- Liver Circulation
- Liver Cirrhosis
(pathology, physiopathology)
- Liver Function Tests
(methods)
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography
(methods)
- Magnetite Nanoparticles
(administration & dosage)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sensitivity and Specificity
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