MRI of the Spleen in Lymphoma Patients
Author Information
Author(s): M.A. Richards, J.A.W. Webb, S.E. Jewell, A.G. Stansfeld, T.A. Lister, P.F.M. Wrigley
Primary Institution: St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London
Hypothesis
Can low field strength MRI accurately detect splenic involvement by lymphoma?
Conclusion
Low field strength MRI is an insensitive method for detecting splenic involvement by lymphoma.
Supporting Evidence
- 68% of volunteers had homogeneous spleen images.
- The mean spleen T1 for females was significantly higher than for males.
- Only 2 out of 15 patients with Hodgkin's disease had prolonged T1.
- 9 patients showed a significant decrease in spleen T1 following treatment.
Takeaway
Doctors used a special MRI to look at the spleens of people with lymphoma, but it didn't work very well to find the cancer.
Methodology
MRI scans were performed on 79 healthy volunteers and 62 patients with lymphoma to measure spleen T1 values.
Limitations
The sensitivity of T1 measurement for detecting lymphoma was poor, especially in Hodgkin's disease.
Participant Demographics
79 healthy volunteers and 62 patients with lymphoma, including both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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