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Magnetization transfer imaging of normal and abnormal testis: preliminary results

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Abstract

Objectives

The aim was to determine the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) of normal testes, possible variations with age and to assess the feasibility of MTR in characterizing various testicular lesions.

Methods

Eighty-six men were included. A three-dimensional gradient-echo MT sequence was performed, with/without an on-resonance binomial prepulse. MTR was calculated as: (SIo-SIm)/(SIo) × 100 %, where SIm and SIo refers to signal intensities with and without the saturation pulse, respectively. Subjects were classified as: group 1, 20-39 years; group 2, 40-65 years; and group 3, older than 65 years of age. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by the least significant difference test was used to assess variations of MTR with age. Comparison between the MTR of normal testis, malignant and benign testicular lesions was performed using independent-samples t testing.

Results

ANOVA revealed differences of MTR between age groups (F = 7.51, P = 0.001). Significant differences between groups 1, 2 (P = 0.011) and 1, 3 (P < 0.001) were found, but not between 2, 3 (P = 0.082). The MTR (in percent) of testicular carcinomas was 55.0 ± 3.2, significantly higher than that of benign lesions (50.3 ± 4.0, P = 0.02) and of normal testes (47.4 ± 2.2, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

MTR of normal testes decreases with age. MTR might be helpful in the diagnostic work-up of testicular lesions.

Key Points

• MTR of normal testes shows age-related changes.

• Testicular carcinomas have high MTR values.

• MTR may be useful in the diagnostic work-up of testicular lesions.

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Abbreviations

MTR:

Magnetization transfer ratio

MT:

Magnetization transfer

MTI:

Magnetization transfer imaging

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

SI:

Signal intensity

DW:

Diffusion-weighted

3D:

Three-dimensional

WFS:

Water-fat-shift

FOV:

Field of view

FFE:

Fast-field echo

ROI:

Region of interest

LSD:

Least significance difference

TGCTs:

Testicular germ cell tumours

RER:

Rough endoplasmic reticulum

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

FSH:

Follicle-stimulating hormone

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Acknowledgments

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Athina C. Tsili. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. The authors state that this work has not received any funding. Loukas G. Astrakas kindly provided statistical advice for this manuscript. One of the authors (Loukas G. Astrakas) has significant statistical expertise. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects (patients) in this study. No study subjects or cohorts have been previously reported. Methodology: prospective, cross sectional study, performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Radiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Athina C. Tsili, Alexandra Ntorkou, Vasilios Maliakas & Maria I. Argyropoulou

  2. Department of Urology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Dimitrios Baltogiannis, Anastasios Sylakos, Sotirios Stavrou & Nikolaos Sofikitis

  3. Department of Medical Physics, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Loukas G. Astrakas

  4. Department of Urology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Leoforos S. Niarchou, 45500, Ioannina, Greece

    Sotirios Stavrou

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  1. Athina C. Tsili
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Correspondence to Athina C. Tsili.

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Tsili, A.C., Ntorkou, A., Baltogiannis, D. et al. Magnetization transfer imaging of normal and abnormal testis: preliminary results. Eur Radiol 26, 613–621 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3867-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-3867-0

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