HEPATIC METASTASES - DETECTION WITH MULTISECTION FLASH MR-IMAGING DURING GADOLINIUM CHELATE ENHANCED ARTERIAL PORTOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility and sensitivity of multisection fast low-angle shot (FLASH) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the dep iction of hepatic metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cases of 10 p atients with 39 surgically proved hepatic metastases were prospectivel y evaluated. After unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) and F LASH imaging, 4 mL of a 0.5 mol/L solution of a gadolinium chelate (te traazacyclododecane-tetraacetic acid) was injected into the superior m esenteric artery during FLASH imaging in a single breath-holding perio d. RESULTS: No side effects were noted. With multisection FLASH MR art erial portography, tumor-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratio (34.5 +/- 4. 4) was significantly increased compared with unenhanced MR imaging. Se nsitivity was 74% (29 of 39) for combined SE and multisection FLASH im aging and 95% (37 of 39) for multisection FLASH MR arterial portograph y (McNemar test, P < .02). CONCLUSION: Multisection FLASH MR arterial portography is a safe, feasible, and sensitive technique with which to detect hepatic metastases.