SPIO-enhanced MR imaging of focal fatty liver lesions

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the features of focal f atty liver lesions with superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIO) on magnetic re sonance (MR) images. Methods: We retrospectively studied five patients with six histologically p roven focal fatty liver lesions who had been examined by MR with use of SPI O, The features of the focal fatty liver lesions on two T2-weighted post-SP IO-enhanced MR images, T2*-weighted fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequences, and T2-weighted turbo-spin echo (TSE) sequences were analyzed, and the perc entages of signal intensity loss of the lesions and normal liver parenchyma were calculated. Results: All the fatty liver lesions exhibited different degrees of SPIO up take, which were presented by a distinct loss of signal intensity on both p ost-SPIO-enhanced T2-weighted sequences. The percentage of signal intensity loss of the lesions on SPIO-enhanced images was higher than that of normal liver parenchyma in all the cases. Conclusion: Focal fatty liver lesions exhibit a high uptake of SPIO. The up take is higher than that of the normal liver.