Abstract
Background: To investigate the usefulness of color Doppler ultrasound (US) and dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the differentiation of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adenomatous hyperplasia (AH). Methods: Thirty-eight small (3 cm or less) nodular lesions (in 38 cirrhotic patients) with US features consistent with HCC underwent evaluation with color Doppler US and MR imaging. Breath-hold T1-weighted rapid acquisition spin echo MR sequence after bolus injection of 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine was used to evaluate dynamic enhancement. US-guided tissue-core percutaneous biopsy established the diagnosis: HCC in 28 cases and AH in 10. Results: Color signals with pulsatile or continuous Doppler spectrum were demonstrated in 19 of 28 HCCs (68%) but in none of the AHs. Although there was considerable overlap in signal intensity between HCC and AH on both unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted images, early enhancement on breath-hold T1-weighted images obtained 40 s after starting contrast administration was observed in 22 of 28 HCCs (79%) but in none of the AHs. In 26 of 28 HCCs (93%), pulsatile or continuous flow at color Doppler US, early enhancement at dynamic MR imaging, or both were observed. Conclusion: Findings with color Doppler US and dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging enable a reliable distinction between small HCC and AH.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 41-48 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Abdominal Imaging |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1996 |
Keywords
- Liver neoplams, MR
- Liver neoplams, US
- Liver neoplasms
- Liver neoplasms, diagnosis
- Liver, cirrhosis
- US, Doppler study
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Urology