@article{2987042,
    title = "Characterization of pheochromocytomas using quantitati analysis of the parameter T2 of the mass (T2-QMRI)",
    author = "Stefanaki, A. and Maris, T. and Gouliamos, A. and Kalovidouris, A. and Kordas, G. and Milia, F. and Papavassiliou, G. and Vlahos, L. and Papavassiliou, C.",
    journal = "MAGMA Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine",
    year = "1994",
    volume = "2",
    number = "1",
    pages = "29-37",
    publisher = "Kluwer Academic Publishers",
    issn = "0968-5243, 1352-8661",
    doi = "10.1007/BF01709797",
    keywords = "adrenal gland;  adult;  article;  clinical article;  female;  human;  male;  nuclear magnetic resonance;  pheochromocytoma;  priority journal;  tissue characterization",
    abstract = "The usefullness of MR imaging in the characterization of pheochromocytomas was evaluated in 9 patients with 13 pheochromocytomas and 1 paraganglioma. In two patients the tumors were multiple and in one, extra-adrenal. Two patients conformed to MEN2 syndrome. Adrenal masses were characterized using several parameters: (a) visual inspection of the signal intensities in T1-, T2-, and Gd-DTPA-enhanced T1-weighted images; (b) observed signal intensity and observed signal intensity ratios (adrenal mass/liver, adrenal mass/retroperitoneal fat and adrenal mass/ subcutaneous fat) in the T2-weighted images; (c) calculated T2 relaxation times and calculated T2 relaxation time ratios (adrenal mass/liver, adrenal mass/retroperitoneal fat and adrenal mass/subcutaneous fat) of the adrenal masses. All pheochromocytomas had a T2 relaxation time greater than 82 ms with a maximum value of 134.3 ms. These values were calculated using T2 quantitative analysis methods based on in-house designed mathematical routines (T2-QMRI). The signal intensities of the tumor on T2-weighted spin-echo images were extremely high. As a conclusion of this preliminary report it is postulated that T2 quantitative MRI examination (T2-QMRI) is an accurate method for the diagnosis and characterization of pheochromocytomas because it gives positive diagnostic results whether the pheochromocytoma is secreting or nonfunctioning. It can also detect extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (paragangliomas). Comparative studies with other adrenal tumors is essential to assess accuracy of this method for characterizing these tumors. © 1994 Chapman & Hall."
}