Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI coupled with a subtraction technique is useful for treatment response evaluation of malignant melanoma hepatic metastasis

PURPOSE: To determine whether contrast-enhanced MRI including subtraction sequences can predict the treatment response of melanoma liver metastasis. RESULTS: High precontrast T1 signal intensity (SI) of melanoma lesions obscured detection of enhancement after contrast injection. It was impossible to determine whether or not enhancement occurred in the majority of lesions (85.4%, n = 35/41) without including the subtraction technique. Positive enhancement was identified in 14.6% (n = 6/41) of patients without subtraction images, but increased to 68.3% (n = 28/41) by including subtraction images. Follow-up studies determined lesion progression in 34.1% (n = 14/41) of patients. Positive enhancement on the subtraction image (odds ratio = 12.1, P = 0.048) and intermediate high T2 SI (odds ratio = 8.16, P = 0.040) were significantly associated with higher risk of lesion progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent MRI for melanoma liver metastases between January 2007 and February 2015 were enrolled. The study analyzed 41 liver metastases in 15 patients [11 male and four female; median age 56 years (range 21–81)] for size, lesion enhancement with and without subtraction images, and T2 SI. Follow-up imaging studies were used to determine treatment response. Data were analyzed with generalized estimating equations. CONCLUSIONS: MRI including the subtraction technique is useful for determining the treatment response of melanoma liver metastases. Lesion contrast enhancement and intermediate high T2 SI increased the risk of lesion progression.