Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of primary liver cancer--MRI-pathologic correlation

In seven primary liver cancers (HCC 5, CCC 1, mixed 1), MR images (0.35 Tesla super-conducting) were compared with macroscopic appearances, and relaxation times (T1 and T2) with microscopic characteristics. MRI was able to reveal the gross appearance of five nodular lesions, but did not reveal one diffuse HCC and one nodular HCC with marked extracapsular extension. T2-weighted SE images could not demonstrate fibrous capsules around the tumor in four nodular HCCs. The T1 and T2 values of the tumors were longer than those of the surrounding liver parenchyma, and the T1 elongation corresponded roughly to the degree of necrosis and fibrosis within the tumors.