[MR imaging during arteriography (MR arteriography) in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma]

MR imaging during arteriography was performed to evaluate the clinical utility to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. After a conventional hepatic arteriography, the patients were transferred to the MR unit and MR arteriography was obtained with the gradient echo technique synchronously starting manual injection of Gd-DTPA diluted with normal saline into the hepatic artery using 5-F Cobra angiographic catheter. The tumors showed high signal intensity relative to surrounding normal parenchyma and a clear liver-to-lesion contrast was obtained. Especially in one case, a conventional hepatic arteriography did not show the recurrent mass, however it was demonstrated as a high signal intensity area on MR arteriography. Therefore, this new technique seemed to be useful for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.