[Iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma of woodchuck]

To determine the utility of iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), MR imagings of an adult woodchuck with two nodules of HCC was obtained before and after an injection of iron oxide. On postcontrast images, signal intensity decreased in one nodule and did not change in the other. Pathologically, the former was well-differentiated HCC with trabecular pattern and the latter was with pseudograndular and scirrhous pattern. Iron oxide particles were noted within the former. Iron oxide-enhanced MR imaging is a promising method for differentiation of pathological subtypes of HCC, however well-differentiated one with reticuloendothelial cells might be overlooked.