Perfusion-and diffusion-weighted imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

Improved surgical and non-surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis requires an adaptation of diagnostic strategies towards the characterization and follow-up of treatment response. Except of morphology, existing radiological techniques provide little information concerning tissue characterization, hampering the differentiation of small cirrhotic nodules and the assessment of treatment induced necrosis. The tumoral vasculature and cellular microstructure offer attractive diagnostic targets for functional imaging techniques. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential applications of perfusion- and diffusion-imaging in the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of hepatocellular carcinoma.