Application of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-enhanced MRI to Liver Trauma

We report the effectiveness of superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MRI (SPIO-enhanced MRI) in 3 cases of liver trauma. In 2 of the 3 cases, high intensity areas were clearly visible on SPIO-enhanced MRI, which coincided with low density areas observed in contrast enhanced CT (CE-CT). Two weeks later, the high intensity areas had almost disappeared. These patients required percutaneous drainage due to biloma. In the third case, a high intensity area was poorly visible on SPIO-enhanced MRI, which coincided with a low density area observed in CE-CT, furthermore, biloma was not present. In this study, SPIO-enhanced MRI made possible the diagnosis of liver trauma in a manner similar to CE-CT. Regeneration of Kupffer cells could be observed at the trauma site. SPIO-enhanced MRI made possible the diagnosis of liver trauma severity at the level of liver cells, which could not be readily seen with CE-CT. Accordingly, the application of SPIO-enhanced MRI is considered to be useful in cases with stable vital signs that do not require monitoring.