ISSN:
1352-8661
Keywords:
adrenal gland
;
MR studies
;
magnetic resonance (MR)
;
tissue characterization
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The usefullness of MR imaging in the characterization of pheochromocytomas was evaluated in 9 patients with 13 pheochromocytomas and 1 paraganglioma. In two patients the tumors were multiple and in one, extra-adrenal. Two patients conformed to MEN2 syndrome. Adrenal masses were characterized using several parameters: (a) visual inspection of the signal intensities in T1-, T2-, and Gd-DTPA-enhanced T1-weighted images; (b) observed signal intensity and observed signal intensity ratios (adrenal mass/liver, adrenal mass/retroperitoneal fat and adrenal mass/ subcutaneous fat) in the T2-weighted images; (c) calculated T2 relaxation times and calculated T2 relaxation time ratios (adrenal mass/liver, adrenal mass/retroperitoneal fat and adrenal mass/subcutaneous fat) of the adrenal masses. All pheochromocytomas had a T2 relaxation time greater than 82 ms with a maximum value of 134.3 ms. These values were calculated using T2 quantitative analysis methods based on in-house designed mathematical routines (T2-QMRI). The signal intensities of the tumor on T2-weighted spin-echo images were extremely high. As a conclusion of this preliminary report it is postulated that T2 quantitative MRI examination (T2-QMRI) is an accurate method for the diagnosis and characterization of pheochromocytomas because it gives positive diagnostic results whether the pheochromocytoma is secreting or nonfunctioning. It can also detect extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas). Comparative studies with other adrenal tumors is essential to assess accuracy of this method for characterizing these tumors.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01709797
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