MR imaging was performed using a 1.5 T MR (Magnetom Symphony, with Total Imaging Matrix Package, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with an 8-element body and phased array coils. The MRI study protocol included conventional sequences that are T1 weighted (W), without contrast medium administration, and T2-W, which includes Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) with seven b values to obtain functional parameters with a mono-exponential model and T1-W sequences after the administration of the contrast medium. The MR protocol was described in detail in [25 (link),28 (link)].
According to the different phases of patient management, our study protocol includes the possibility to administrate a liver-specific contrast (in pre-surgical setting) and a non-liver-specific contrast (in the characterization and staging phase). In this study, we assessed images obtained with a non-specific agent: the Gd-BT-DO3A (Gadovist, Bayer Schering Pharma, Germany). All patients received 0.1 mL/kg of Gd-BT-DO3A by means of a power injector (Spectris Solaris® EP MR, MEDRAD Inc., Indianola, IA, USA), at an infusion rate of 2 mL/s.
The contrast study protocol includes the arterial phase (35 s delay), portal/venous phase (90 s) and equilibrium phases (120 s).
According to the different phases of patient management, our study protocol includes the possibility to administrate a liver-specific contrast (in pre-surgical setting) and a non-liver-specific contrast (in the characterization and staging phase). In this study, we assessed images obtained with a non-specific agent: the Gd-BT-DO3A (Gadovist, Bayer Schering Pharma, Germany). All patients received 0.1 mL/kg of Gd-BT-DO3A by means of a power injector (Spectris Solaris® EP MR, MEDRAD Inc., Indianola, IA, USA), at an infusion rate of 2 mL/s.
The contrast study protocol includes the arterial phase (35 s delay), portal/venous phase (90 s) and equilibrium phases (120 s).
Free full text: Click here
