MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma at 1.5 Tesla

The authors investigated the magnetic resonance appearance of hepatocellular carcinoma using a 1.5-Tesla magnet. Twenty-four patients with pathologically proven hepatocellular carcinoma had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, which were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were imaged with at least two of the following techniques: (1) T1-weighted (T1W), (2) T1-weighted with Gd-DTPA enhancement (T1W-E), (3) T2-weighted (T2W), (4) proton density (PD), and (5) gradient-recalled echoes (GRE). T1W images were equal to T2W images for tumor detection using a grading system. T1W images were slightly better than T2W images for the total number of lesions detected. The other pulsing techniques (PD, T1W-E, and GRE) detected fewer lesions. Eight cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (33%) had nonhomogeneous increased signal intensity on both T1W and T2W images. The authors conclude that T1W images are equal to T2W images for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. The authors also conclude that 33% of hepatocellular carcinomas have an imaging pattern with increased signal intensity on both T1W and T2W images. This pattern is atypical for most other hepatic masses and hence can be used to suggest the mass is hepatocellular carcinoma.