Multiple hepatic adenomas: Tc-99m RBC liver SPECT findings with pathologic correlation

Hepatoblastoma Mimicking Hemangioma in Labeled Red Blood Cell Scintigraphy

Although Tc red blood cell (RBC) scintigraphy is a very specific method to differentiate a hemangioma from other hepatic masses, several cases of false-positive Tc RBC scintigraphy have been previously reported throughout the literature. We report an additional case that presented in a 15-month-old boy with hepatoblastoma showing increased labeled RBC activity mimicking hemangioma.

Emerging applications for ferumoxytol as a contrast agent in MRI

Ferumoxytol is an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) agent initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an iron replacement therapy for patients with anemia due to chronic renal failure. Recently, ferumoxytol has been investigated extensively as an intravenous contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Since it causes regional T1 and T2 * shortening in vivo, conventional pulse sequences can be used following ferumoxytol administration to demonstrate signal enhancement or loss. Ferumoxytol can be administered as a rapid bolus and has a long intravascular half-life on the order of 14-15 hours, making it a potentially useful agent for vascular and perfusion-weighted MRI. In comparison to other USPIOs, ferumoxytol is less limited by allergic and idiosyncratic reactions. Furthermore, since ferumoxytol is an iron-based agent with no potential for causing nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, it may be useful as an alternative to gadolinium-based contrast agents in patients with compromised renal function. Ferumoxytol is ultimately taken up by macrophages/the reticuloendothelial system in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes, and this uptake mechanism is being explored as a novel imaging technique for vascular lesions, tumors, and lymph nodes. This article reviews the properties of ferumoxytol relevant to MRI as well as many of the uses for the agent currently under investigation.

To what extent can diverse types of liver lesions mimic hemangiomas? A retrospective quantitative analysis of masses found to be positive in SPECT/CT with labeled blood cells - a preliminary report

Background

Although specificity of SPECT/CT examination using technetium-99m radiolabeled red blood cells (Tc-99m-RBC) for detection of liver hemangiomas is very high, it is still not perfect. It is possible to overlook a malignancy. Moreover, the difference in accumulation of RBCs between a hemangioma and uninvolved liver remains unknown.

The aim of the study is to determine the quotients of accumulation of Tc-99m-RBC in hemangiomas and in normal liver parenchyma (HEM/liv), and to verify, whether the quotient could be potentially helpful in distinguishing hemangiomas from other RBC-accumulating liver masses.

Material/Methods

34 liver lesions larger than 1.5 cm classified scintigraphically (qualitatively) in our Department as either typical or suspicious of hemangioma 1.5–4 years earlier were enrolled in this retrospective study. Their SPECT/CT images were acquired 1 hour after in vivo labeling of RBCs with Tc-99m. In reconstructed images, ellipsoidal regions of interest (ROIs) with diameters of about 1.5 cm were created in the assessed lesions (HEM) and in the uninvolved liver parenchyma (liv). The HEM/liv quotients were calculated for each mass. The results were compared with radiological data.

Results

31 lesions were found to be clinically and radiologically typical for hemangiomas, their HEM/liv ratios were at least 1.6 (smaller masses) or 1.8 (larger masses). One lesion with HEM/liv ratio equal to 1.21 was classified as metastasis. Two lesions with HEM/liv 1.42 and 1.46 were classified as benign foci other than hemangioma.

Conclusions

The quantitative analysis can be preliminarily proposed as a helpful tool in the assessment of possible liver hemangiomas.

99mTc-red blood cells SPECT and planar scintigraphy in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas

The aim of the study is the assessment of the value of SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography) using 99mTc-labeled red blood cells in the detection of liver hemangioma, in comparison to planar imaging. With planar red blood cell scintigraphy, sensitivity of the method was 76%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 98% and negative predictive value 79%. With SPECT, sensitivity of the method was 95%, specificity 98%, positive predictive value 98% and negative predictive value 94%. The smallest lesion detected by planar red blood cell scintigraphy was 1.2 cm, and with SPECT red blood cell scintigraphy 0.8 cm. The use of 99mTc-labeled red blood cells SPECT improved the sensitivity much more in smaller lesions (0.8 to 2 cm), than in bigger ones (2-5 cm). SPECT with radiolabeled red blood cells significantlyy improves the results of scintigraphic findings, especially in the small lesions.