DETECTION OF LIVER METASTASES - COMPARISON OF SUPERPARAMAGNETIC IRON OXIDE-ENHANCED AND UNENHANCED MR-IMAGING ART 1.5 T WITH DYNAMIC CT, INTRAOPERATIVE US, AND PERCUTANEOUS US

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivities of superparamagnetic iron oxide- enhanced and unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5 T with those of percutaneous ultrasound (US), intraoperative US (IOUS), and d ynamic computed tomography (CT) in the preoperative assessment of meta static liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with li ver metastases who were candidates for curative surgery underwent pres urgical imaging. Thirteen patients underwent surgery and IOUS after un dergoing preoperative US, CT, and MR imaging. RESULTS: Ia the preopera tive imaging group, the standard of reference was the total number of lesions detected with any of the modalities. Superparamagnetic iron ox ide-enhanced MR imaging was the most sensitive modality (99%). In the surgical group, the standard of reference was the total number of meta stases identified at IOUS and pathologic examination. IOUS had the hig hest sensitivity (80%), followed by superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhan ced MR imaging (56%). CONCLUSION: Superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhance d high-field-strength MR imaging facilitates the preoperative evaluati on of potentially curable metastatic liver disease; however, it is inf erior to IOUS.