Detection of hepatic metastases by proton spectroscopic imaging. Work in progress.

Abstract

Patients (14) with hepatic metastases underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using both the conventional spin-echo (SE) technique and the opposed phase of the proton spectroscopic imaging method. The opposed image showed more lesions than the conventional SE image in 5 patients and provided better contrast between the liver parenchyma and metastases in 2 patients. Four of these 7 patients had associated fatty infiltration of the liver. When compared with the computed tomography (CT) scan, the opposed image either showed more lesions or provided better contrast in 6 patients, 4 of whom had fatty infiltration. More significantly, the MR image showed several 1-cm lesions not shown by the CT scan in 1 patient. The study discloses the possible explanations for the increased sensitivity of the opposed image in detecting hepatic metastases.