Low field strength magnetic resonance imaging of the spleen: results from volunteers and patients with lymphoma.

Ma Richards,Pfm Wrigley,Se Jewell,Ag Stansfeld,Jaw Webb,Ta Lister

doi:10.1038/bjc.1988.92

Abstract

Low field strength (0.08 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spleen with spin lattice relaxation time (T1) measurement was performed on a total of 79 healthy volunteers and 62 patients with lymphoma. Inhomogeneity was observed on the T1 images of the spleen from 25 volunteers. This was therefore considered a normal variant. The normal range of spleen T1 at 0.08 Tesla was established (362-420 msec). No influence of age on spleen T1 was detected. The range of T1 values observed in males and females was similar, although the mean spleen T1 for females was significantly longer than that for males. The sensitivity of T1 measurement for the detection of lymphoma in the spleen was poor, particularly for patients with Hodgkin's disease. In a minority of untreated patients, however, a spleen T1 value outside the normal range may indicate the presence of lymphoma in the spleen. A significant decrease in spleen T1 following treatment was observed in 9 patients who underwent serial scanning.

Highlights

Assessment of splenic involvement Comparison of the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with histological assessment of the spleen was possible in 19 of the 62 patients
Volunteers and patients Seventy nine healthy volunteers were examined to assess the normal appearance of the spleen on MRI and to establish the normal range of spleen T1
In 54 of the 79 volunteers (68%) the spleen appeared homogeneous on the calculated T1 images

Summary

Methods

Volunteers and patients Seventy nine healthy volunteers were examined to assess the normal appearance of the spleen on MRI and to establish the normal range of spleen T1. Assessment of splenic involvement Comparison of the results of MRI with histological assessment of the spleen was possible in 19 of the 62 patients. In 18 of these splenectomy was performed within 2 weeks of imaging (Table III). For these cases the size of the spleen on MRI was compared with the weight measured following splenectomy.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion