[MR images of the hepatocellular carcinoma in Long-Evans cinnamon (LEC) rats]

Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats which have an abnormal copper accumulation in the liver develop hereditary hepatitis and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We studied the correlation of MR images of the HCCs developed in LEC rats and histopathological features. The HCCs of LEC rats had high intensity on T 1-weighted images and iso-low intensity on T 2*-weighted images. Histopathological examination showed that the HCCs were highly differentiated. Copper concentration in the HCCs was lower than that in the surrounding non-cancerous liver tissues. From these results, we suggest that copper accumulation may not be responsible for the high intensity of HCCs on T 1-weighted images.