Detection of Small Pulmonary Nodules with Ultrashort Echo Time Sequences in Oncology Patients by Using a PET/MR System

• DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2015150489
• Publication Date: 2015-07-02T19:59:47Z
• Authors: Nicholas S. Burris; Kevin M. Johnson; Peder E. Z. Larson; Michael D. Hope; Scott K. Nagle; Spencer C. Behr; Thomas A. Hope
• Keywords: Nodule (geology); McNemar's test; Solitary pulmonary nodule

To investigate the utility of a free-breathing ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequence for evaluation small pulmonary nodules in oncology patients by using hybrid positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system and to compare nodule detection rate between UTE conventional three-dimensional gradient-recalled-echo (GRE) technique.In this HIPAA-compliant, institutional review board-approved prospective study, 82 were identified eight with extrathoracic malignancies. Patients underwent dual-echo GRE lungs PET/MR unit immediately after clinical PET/computed (CT). CT was considered reference standard detection. Two reviewers obtained measurements on MR images. The McNemar test used evaluate differences techniques, interrater agreement assessed Bland-Altman plots.Mean diameter ± deviation 6.2 mm 2.7 (range, 3-17 mm). higher than at least 4 (82% vs 34%, respectively; P < .001), largest difference noted 4-8-mm group (79% 21%, .001). displayed without fluorodeoxyglucose avidity (68% 22%, Interrater reliability high (κ = 0.90 κ 0.92 imaging).A has sensitivity (4-8 mm) outperformed technique small, non-fluorodeoxyglucose-avid nodules.