Contrast-enhanced FLAIR imaging in combination with pre- and postcontrast magnetization transfer T1-weighted imaging: Usefulness in the evaluation of brain metastases.
Terae, Satoshi MD, PhD 1,*; Yoshida, Daisuke MD 1; Kudo, Kohsuke MD, PhD 1; Tha, Khin Khin MD, PhD 1; Fujino, Masaharu MD 1; Miyasaka, Kazuo MD, PhD 1
[Article] Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 25(3):479-487, March 2007.

(Format: HTML, PDF)

Purpose: To assess whether the use of postcontrast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging in combination with pre- and postcontrast magnetization transfer (MT) T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) can increase diagnostic confidence in the evaluation of brain metastases.

Materials and Methods: Brain MR images from 41 patients with suspected brain metastases were reviewed. Two radiologists viewed pre- and postcontrast MT-T1W images for the presence of metastatic tumors and rated the possible enhanced lesions using a five-point confidence scale (session 1). The postcontrast FLAIR images were then viewed together with pre- and postcontrast MT-T1W images, and the presence of metastasis was rated again (session 2).

Results: A total of 240 possible enhanced lesions were detected in session 1. Judging by follow-up MR examinations, 196 were considered to be nonmetastatic findings and 44 were determined to be metastasis. In session 2 the confidence rating for nonmetastasis increased significantly in the subset of nonmetastatic findings (P < 0.001), and the confidence rating for metastasis increased significantly in the subset of metastases (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The addition of postcontrast FLAIR imaging to pre- and postcontrast MT-T1WI improves diagnostic confidence in evaluation of brain metastases. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007;25:479-487. (C) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.