Dynamic MR imaging of liver tumors: analysis with temporal reconstruction images.

Abstract

To graphically display the time dependency of contrast enhancement of liver tumors at examination with dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A temporal reconstruction image was generated by obtaining a line of interest drawn on a single image through the liver and the tumor and reformatted over a sequence of temporal images. This calculated image expressed the temporal evolution of the line, including nontumoral liver and tumor, with regard to three variables: signal intensity, enhancement, and velocity. This allowed a visually integrated analysis of 95 hepatic lesions studied with dynamic single-section MR imaging after contrast material administration. Temporal reconstruction images were obtained for all the dynamic studies. Five patterns of enhancement based on signal intensity and velocity variations coupled with morphologic information were found: wall, diffusion, moderate enhancement, marked progressive, and early intense patterns. Temporal reconstruction of liver tumors after contrast material administration can be used to analyze, describe, and report the dynamics of lesion enhancement with morphologic and temporal resolution.