Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) as a response parameter in patients who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Materials and methods

Forty-two patients (29 male patients; mean age, 61.5 years; range, 41–84 years) with repeated TACE therapy of colorectal liver metastases underwent on average 2 repetitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and MRE exams in 4- to 6-week intervals using a 1.5-T scanner. MRE-based liver stiffness measurements were performed in normal liver parenchyma and in metastatic lesions. Moreover, the size of the liver metastases was assessed during treatment and compared with the results of the MRE analysis.

Results

Liver metastases showed a significantly higher degree of stiffness compared with the normal liver parenchyma (p < 0.001). However, only a weak correlation was found between the lesion size and stiffness (r = − 0.32, p = 0.1). MRE analysis revealed an increase in stiffness of the colorectal liver metastases from 4.4 to 7.1 kPa after three cycles of TACE (p < 0.001). Also, the mean size of the metastases decreased from 17.0 to 11.3 cm² (p < 0.001). Finally, the entire liver stiffness increased from 2.9 to 3.1 kPa over the three cycles of TACE therapy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MRE showed a significant change in stiffness and size of liver metastases. Therefore, MRE may provide an added value for an evaluation of treatment response in patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing TACE.

Key Points

• MRE showed an increase in stiffness of the colorectal liver metastases during TACE therapy.

• Liver metastases showed a significantly higher degree of stiffness compared with the normal liver parenchyma.

• However, only a weak correlation was found between the lesion size and stiffness.

中文翻译：

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磁共振弹性成像作为结直肠肝转移瘤经动脉化疗栓塞反应参数的评估。

 客观的

本研究的目的是评估磁共振弹性成像（MRE）作为接受经动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）治疗结直肠肝转移的患者的反应参数。

 材料和方法

42 名接受重复 TACE 治疗结直肠肝转移的患者（29 名男性患者；平均年龄 61.5 岁；范围 41-84 岁）平均在 4 至 6 天内接受 2 次重复磁共振成像 (MRI) 和 MRE 检查。使用 1.5-T 扫描仪以周为间隔。在正常肝实质和转移性病灶中进行基于 MRE 的肝脏硬度测量。此外，在治疗期间评估肝转移的大小，并与 MRE 分析的结果进行比较。

 结果

与正常肝实质相比，肝转移瘤表现出明显更高的硬度 ( p < 0.001)。然而，病变大小和硬度之间仅发现弱相关性（ r = − 0.32， p = 0.1）。 MRE 分析显示，三个周期的 TACE 后，结直肠肝转移瘤的硬度从 4.4 kPa 增加到 7.1 kPa ( p < 0.001)。此外，转移瘤的平均大小从 17.0 cm 2 减小至 11.3 cm ² ( p < 0.001)。最后，在 TACE 治疗的三个周期中，整个肝脏硬度从 2.9 kPa 增加到 3.1 kPa。

 结论

总之，MRE 显示肝转移瘤的硬度和大小发生显着变化。因此，MRE 可能为评估接受 TACE 的结直肠肝转移患者的治疗反应提供附加值。

 关键点

• MRE 显示TACE 治疗期间结直肠肝转移瘤的硬度增加。

• 与正常肝实质相比，肝转移瘤表现出明显更高的硬度。

• 然而，仅发现病变大小和硬度之间存在微弱的相关性。