Dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma

The magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) on T1- and T2-weighted and dynamic serial postgadolinium-DTPA images is reported. Both tumors were large (> 7 cm in shortest dimension) and had central regions of low signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images. Diffuse heterogeneous enhancement of the tumors occurred on immediate postcontrast images. Lesions became more homogeneous in enhancement over time, but lack of enhancement of central portions of the tumor persisted. Although persistent lack of enhancement of the tumor scar on late postcontrast MR images may be characteristic of FL-HCC compared with delayed enhancement in focal nodular hyperplasia, the potential similarities between these tumors is stressed.