The diagnosis of splenic lymphoma by MR imaging: value of superparamagnetic iron oxide

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Abstract
This study was designed to evaluate superparamagnetic iron oxide (AMI-25) as a contrast agent for MR to distinguish normal spleens from those diffusely infiltrated by lymphoma. As diffuse splenic involvement lacks visible tumor-tissue boundaries, signal-intensity measurements of spleens were used as a diagnostic criterion in 33 patients (lymphoma, n = 8; benign splenomegaly, n = 5; normal subjects, n = 20). Unenhanced MR images were insensitive (four of eight patients) and nonspecific (20 of 25 patients) in the diagnosis of lymphoma. After injection of superparamagnetic iron oxide (40 mumol Fe/kg), lymphomatous spleens showed a significantly higher signal intensity (p less than .05) than did normal spleens or spleens enlarged by benign disease (hepatic cirrhosis, n = 4; spherocytosis, n = 1). Changes in splenic MR signal intensity unambiguously identified eight of eight lymphomatous spleens and 25 of 25 normal or enlarged spleens that did not contain lymphoma. Phagocytosis of superparamagnetic iron oxide ...