Hepatocellular carcinoma: MR imaging findings in cirrhotic livers and noncirrhotic livers. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • PURPOSE: To compare the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic versus noncirrhotic livers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images in 36 patients with HCC (30 men and she women aged 42-84 years [mean age, 65 years]) were retrospectively reviewed. The number and size of hepatic lesions were assessed. Lesion margins were categorized as well circumscribed or ill defined. The presence of a capsule, intratumoral high signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images, and a stellate scar were determined. RESULTS: Eleven (31%) patients had MR imaging evidence of cirrhosis, and 25 (69%) did not: Lesions in cirrhotic livers differed significantly from those in noncirrhotic livers in terms of size (22 cm2 vs 99 cm2, P < .05), frequency of a solitary lesion (27% vs 72%, P < .05), and frequency of a central scar (6% vs 50%, P < .05). There was no difference between the cirrhotic and noncirrhotic livers with regard to tumor margin, intratumoral high signal intensity on T1-weighted images, or tumor capsule. CONCLUSION: Differences exist in the MR imaging appearance of HCC between patients with and those without cirrhosis, although there is overlap of imaging findings.

publication date

  • January 1, 1999

Research

keywords

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Liver Neoplasms
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0032955574

PubMed ID

  • 9885590

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 210

issue

  • 1