Magnetic resonance susceptibility-weighted imaging versus other imaging modalities in detecting splenic siderotic lesions

PLoS One. 2013 Sep 9;8(9):e73626. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073626. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Background: Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) has been proven to be superior to T2*-weighted imaging and also other existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for the detection of iron content and hemorrhage in the brain. The purpose of this study was to compare SWI with T1WI, T2WI and T2*WI in detecting splenic siderotic lesions.

Methodology/principal findings: Twenty-two patients with splenic siderotic nodule were imaged with non-contrast MRI T1WI, T2WI, T2*WI and SWI at 3.0 Tesla. Imaging data were independently analyzed by two experienced radiologists. The number of splenic siderotic nodules was counted, and the size (largest diameter) was measured. The conspicuity was calculated as the nodule to background parenchyma intensity ratio. We found that SWI detected a larger average number of splenic siderotic nodules than T1WI, T2WI, or T2*WI (all P<0.05). The average size of the nodules detected by SWI was larger than that of those detected by T1WI, T2WI or T2*WI (all P<0.05). SWI provided superior contrast and visibility for splenic siderotic nodules compared to any other sequence (all P<0.001).

Conclusions: SWI may be a better detection scheme for splenic siderotic nodules than T1WI, T2WI and T2*WI.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Siderosis / diagnosis*
  • Spleen / diagnostic imaging
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Splenic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Clinical Research Foundation of Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, China (Grant No.SWH2011LC008). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.