Objective: To compare MRI of the liver with mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP) and computed tomography with intravenous contrast media in the follow-up of liver metastases in patient on chemotherapy for colorectal carcinoma.
Materials and methods: This was a prospective study with patients on chemotherapy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Patients underwent both contrast-enhanced helical CT using 2 cc/kg contrast at 3 cc/sec and mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR imaging at 1.5 T using 2-3 cc/min contrast at 5 micro mol/kg within a two week interval. Two experienced radiologists independently reviewed all scans in a blinded fashion and recorded image quality as well as presence and number of liver lesions. Statistical analysis was performed using the wilcoxon signed rank test.
Results: All examinations were of good quality. A total of 71 lesions were detected at CT, with 69 lesions consistent with metastases and 2 lesions consistent with cysts. A total of 98 lesions were detected at MRI, with 97 consistent with metastases and 1 lesion consistent with a cyst. T1 weighted images with MnDPDP significantly detected two additional lesions compared to CT (p<0.05). No significant difference was demonstrated between T1 weighted images without MnDPDP and CT or between T2 weighted images and CT.
Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging with MnDPDP is significantly more sensitive than unenhanced MRI and helical CT for the follow-up of liver lesions.