Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Dysplastic Nodules in Cirrhotic Livers: Differentiation with Dynamic MR Imaging
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of spin-echo T2
and T1-weighted images and contrast-enhanced
dynamic gradient-echo images in differentiating
between hepatocellular carcinoma and dysplastic
nodules in cirrhotic livers.
Method: Thirty-eight patients with liver cirrhosis
underwent spin-echo T2 and T1-weighted and
contrast-enhanced dynamic gradient-echo imaging. 16
small hepatocellular carcinomas (< 3 cm) in 16 patients
and 12 dysplastic nodules (> 1 cm) in 12 patients were
included in this study. Spin-echo sequences and
dynamic examination were compared for
characterisation of liver lesions.
Results: On combined SE T2 and T1-weighted images
and dynamic MR images, the most common
appearances were hyperintensity on T2-weighted
images (63%), hyperintensity on T1-weighted images
(50%) and hypervascularity (88%) for hepatocellular
carcinomas. All of the dysplastic nodules were
isointense on T2-weighted images and except one, all
dysplastic nodules enhanced similar to the liver
parenchyma.
Conclusion: In the differential diagnosis of focal lesions
in cirrhotic liver, contrast enhancement features are
as diagnostic as the signal intensity of the lesions on
spin-echo sequences. Hyperintensity on T2-weighted
images and hypervascularity on dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging are statistically significant
features of HCCs developing in cirrhotic livers.
Key words: Cirrhosis, MR, liver neoplasms, diagnosis
Keywords
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | February 25, 2013 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2001 Volume: 6 Issue: 1 |