Use of Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide in Lymph Node MR Imaging

A macrophage-specific magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent allows the detection of small and otherwise undetectable lymph node metastases in patients with prostate cancer. This has an important clinical impact, as the diagnosis will be more precise and less invasive to obtain. Subsequently, this will reduce morbidity and health care costs. However, thorough knowledge of sequence parameters and planes, lymph node anatomy, appearance of normal and abnormal nodes, and pitfalls is essential when using this technique. This will be elaborated in this presentation.

Lernziele:

• Knowledge of anatomy and pathway of spread is essential

• CT and MRI have a high specifity (96%) and reasonable sensitivity (75%)

• MRL more and smaller nodes: available +/- 1y

• with improving MRI technique (such as 3T), MRL yields even better results

Korrespondierender Autor: Barentsz J

Radboud University Nijmegen, University Medical Center Nijmegen, Department of Radiology, UMC St. Radboud Nijmegen – P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen

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