Abnormal phosphomonoester signals in31p mr spectra from patients with hepatic lymphoma. A possible marker of liver infiltration and response to chemotherapy

Abstract

Hepatic infiltration by lymphoma can be difficult to detect by conventional methods. We have studied 22 patients in vivo31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the liver and compared the results with the clinical staging and assessment of liver involvement by computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and liver function tests (LFTs). We find that the phosphomonoester (PME) to ATP, and the PME to Pi ratios are the best indication of liver involvement as in all the patients with liver involvement apparent on CT or US, these ratios were elevated (>2 s. d. above the control mean). Of the patients with deranged LFTs but normal CT or US, five out of nine showed increased PME/ATP and PME/Pi ratios, ..