title: Characterization of intrahepatic space-occupying lesions by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: Hepatic neoplasia can be accurately characterized with magnetic resonance imaging of architectural, signal and dynamic gradient-echo contrast-enhancing features. Architectural characteristics valuable in determining the nature of hepatic neoplasia include the outer and inner contours of the lesion; the presence of fibrous encapsulation; the presence, signal and enhancing characteristics of a central scar; the presence and distribution of hemorrhage or necrosis; the relation of the lesion to regional vasculature and bile ducts; and lesion multiplicity. The signal characteristics in spin-echo and gradient-echo pulse sequences of the adjacent hepatic parenchyma and the lesion itself provide further information. In certain instances hepatic neoplasia can be definitively characterized on dynamic gradient-echo pulse sequences obtained after administration of the contrast agent gadolinium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Vellet
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D005682:Gadolinium; D006406:Hematoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
chemical_list: D005682:Gadolinium