[Dynamic MRI of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus]

Dynamic MRI with injection of Gd-DTPA was performed in 7 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with portal vein tumor thrombus. A portal vein tumor thrombus was clearly visualized as a low intense structure. The segment supplied with this portal vein shows high intensity, probably due to the decrease in portal blood flow and compensated arterial blood flow. A tumor itself, located in this segment, was shown as a low intense area. Thus dynamic MRI is a useful method for differentiating the tumor from the surrounding nontumorous tissue with decrease in portal flow.