文摘
Object To determine whether superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging could demonstrate signal recovery delay in irradiated areas of rat livers. We also investigated the relationship between MR imaging and histological findings. Materials and methods Twelve rats received 20?μmol iron/kg of SPIO followed by X-irradiation to the right upper abdomen 4?h later. Radiation doses were 0, 50 and 70?Gy. Hepatic signals were assessed on unenhanced T 2 * -weighted images for up to 7?days using a 9.4-Tesla scanner. The livers were excised on day 7 and examined histologically. Results Normalized relative signal intensity of 70?Gy-irradiated right liver lobe (2.36?±?0.22) and 50?Gy-irradiated right liver lobe (2.37?±?0.46) was significantly lower than that of the non-irradiated right liver lobe (4.04?±?0.28) on day 7, respectively (p?p? Conclusion Superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging could demonstrate signal recovery delay in irradiated areas of rat livers. It seems that the signal recovery delay in irradiated areas was due to SPIO-derived iron deposition. Hepatic signal recovery could be a novel diagnostic marker for delineation of irradiated areas.