DETECTION OF LIVER METASTASES - COMPARISON OF SUPERPARAMAGNETIC IRON OXIDE-ENHANCED AND UNENHANCED MR-IMAGING ART 1.5 T WITH DYNAMIC CT, INTRAOPERATIVE US, AND PERCUTANEOUS US

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivities of superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced and unenhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5 T with those of percutaneous ultrasound (US), intraoperative US (IOUS), and dynamic computed tomography (CT) in the preoperative assessment of metastatic liver disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with liver metastases who were candidates for curative surgery underwent presurgical imaging. Thirteen patients underwent surgery and IOUS after undergoing preoperative US, CT, and MR imaging. RESULTS: Ia the preoperative imaging group, the standard of reference was the total number of lesions detected with any of the modalities. Superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging was the most sensitive modality (99%). In the surgical group, the standard of reference was the total number of metastases identified at IOUS and pathologic examination. IOUS had the highest sensitivity (80%), followed by superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging (56%). CONCLUSION: Superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced high-field-strength MR imaging facilitates the preoperative evaluation of potentially curable metastatic liver disease; however, it is inferior to IOUS.