[Ultrafast contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography in the preoperative diagnosis of liver tumors].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the accuracy of 3D-MRA in preoperative staging in correlation to intraoperative and histological results.

METHODS

In 30 patients with focal liver lesions axial and coronal MR sequences (T1w-Flash 2D, T2w-TSE unenhanced. T1w-Flash 2D, TRUE FISP contrast-enhanced) as well as coronal breath-hold MRA were performed. The technical parameters of the MRA were as follows; TR/TE 5/2 ms, flip angle 40 degrees, 32-40 partitions with an effective slice thickness of 2-3 mm, acquisition time 26 s, matrix 128 x 256, FOV 320 x 320 to 400 x 400.

RESULTS

In 23/30 patients liver resection was performed. Correct prediction of segmental localization was achieved in preoperative MRI of 22 patients (98%). The presumed histology was correct in 20/23 cases (87%). The evaluation of the hepatic vascular structures was correctly predicted in all cases. By use of multiplanar reconstructions and single image view of the 3D data base of MRA, additional information could be obtained in 13 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Breath-hold 3D-MRA gives certain information on localization and relation of vascular structures to focal hepatic lesions. In presentation of portal venous structures MRA is superior to conventional angiography.