MULTIPLE SINGLE SECTIONS TURBO FLASH MR ARTERIAL PORTOGRAPHY IN THE DETECTION OF HEPATIC NEOPLASMS

Objective: To determine the sensitivity of multiple single sections Tu rbo FLASH MR arterial portography (MRAP) in the detection of hepatic n eoplasms. Methods and Patients: Twelve patients with hepatic mass unde rwent MRAP prior to hepatic resection. Findings of MRAP were compared with surgical Specimen and intra-operative ultrasonography (US). Resul ts: A total of 19 separate malignant neoplastic nodules were identifie d in the resected specimens or intra-operative ultrasonography. The se nsitivity was 89.5% (17/19) for MRAP. MRAP depicted all neoplasms more than 1.0 cm in diameter. Two lesions not depicted on MRAP had a diame ter of 5 and 9 mm, respectively. One lesion identified by MRAP was con firmed to false positive lesion by intra-operative US. Conclusion: Mul tiple single sections Turbo FLASH MRAP may be a valuable adjunct for p re-operative detection of malignant hepatic neoplasms. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.