Solitary Pulmonary Nodules: Potential Role of Dynamic MR Imaging in Management—Initial Experience

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Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the management of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with 58 pathologic analysis–proved SPNs (diameter < 30 mm) underwent dynamic 1.5-T MR imaging. The 58 SPNs were classified into three groups at pathologic analysis: malignant SPNs (n = 38), active infections (n = 10), or benign SPNs (n = 10). From signal intensity–time curves generated after the bolus injection of contrast material, the maximum relative enhancement ratio and slope of enhancement were calculated and statistically compared among the three groups. Threshold values of these two dynamic MR indexes were determined on the basis of positive differentiations. RESULTS: The mean relative enhancement ratio and mean slope of enhancement for the malignant SPN group were significantly higher than those for the benign SPN group and significantly lower than those for the active infection group (P < .05). With 0.15 as the threshold m...