Contrast-enhanced high resolution magnetic resonance imaging of skin tumours

Purpose: To evaluate the use of Gd-DTPA in imaging epithelial skin tumours and tumour-like lesions, 45 benign and 18 malignant skin tumours were prospectively examined by high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5 T using a 2.5 cm surface coil. Methods: For tumour assessment, transverse plain and contrast-enhanced scans (0.1 mmol kg^-1 Gd-DTPA) were performed (TR 500 ms, TE 25 ms, three acquisitions, 256 x 256 matrix, FOV 2.5 cm). Results: Contrast enhancement (CE) was quantitatively determined as the percentage enhancement of signal intensity. Histological findings were correlated using a Wilcoxon test (P < 0.05). Quality of contrast enhancement was independently assessed by three investigators, who mostly described inhomogenous enhancement, regardless of histological findings. Conclusions: Malignant tumours could not be differentiated from benign lesions by contrast enhancement. MRI using Gd-DTPA does not differentiate skin tumour types.