Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI with subtraction of aggressive soft tissue tumors after resection

OBJECTIVE: To report the application of dynamic contrast-enhanced subtraction MRI for detecting recurrences in aggressive or malignant soft tissue tumors. DESIGN: The imaging studies consisted of static (T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo) acquisitions, followed by dynamic conventional spin-echo short TR/TE images (at 45 s, 1 min 30 s and 5 min) after a bolus of intravenous contrast medium. Contrast images were subtracted from the precontrast scan on the console. PATIENTS: Ninety-eight patients were studied who had had aggressive or malignant soft tissue tumors treated by surgery, and were followed up to assess recurrences. RESULTS: Subtraction MRI characterized recurrences better than routine sequences in 10 patients (1 lesion was seen only with this technique, 6 were better delineated, and 3 inflammatory pseudotumors were identified), and less well in 4 cases. CONCLUSION: As the number of levels studied on dynamic images is limited, and all but one recurrence were detected on T2-weighted images, it remains logical to start the examination with T2-weighted spin-echo images, and to use the dynamic study only if contrast injection is required.