PRIMARY ANGIOSARCOMA OF THE PULMONARY-ARTERIES - DYNAMIC CONTRAST-ENHANCED MRI

Purpose: Our goal was to assess the MR appearance and histologic corre lation of primary pulmonary artery angiosarcoma. Method: Four patients with tumorous masses in the pulmonary arteries were evaluated by dyna mic contrast-enhanced MRI using T1- and T2-weighted SE images, GE imag es, as well as coronal 3D MRA in breath-hold technique. The percentage of tumor enhancement was determined by measuring regions of interest before and after Gd-DTPA administration on the 2D multiplanar spoiled GRE images. Results: All four masses showed some contrast enhancement on the dynamically acquired GRE images. The degree of contrast enhance ment correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation, content of m yxoid matrix, and associated thrombus. Contrast-enhanced 3D MRA was us eful for preoperative delineation of the peripheral pulmonary arteries to the subsegmental order. Conclusion: Dynamic contrast-enhanced 3D M RA of the pulmonary arteries can be used to delineate pulmonary arteri al angiosarcomas preoperatively. Considerable variability of contrast agent uptake reflects the wide histologic behavior of these masses in differentiation from central pulmonary embolism.