title: Regenerating nodules of liver cirrhosis: MR imaging.
abstract: A large number of tiny (0.5-1.5 cm), low-intensity nodules of the liver were retrospectively observed on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images of eight patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The lesions were not detected with other imaging modalities and were considered to be regenerating nodules. Twenty-five consecutive cases of liver cirrhosis referred for MR examination were prospectively investigated to study the detectability of regenerating nodules and the optimal pulse sequence for detection. A large number of small, low-intensity nodules were demonstrated in nine of 25 cases on T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) images, in nine of 22 cases on T1-T2 complex fast low-angle shot (FLASH) images, and in one of eight cases on T1-weighted SE images. FLASH images obtained with respiratory suspension most clearly revealed regenerating nodules. However, T2-weighted SE images clearly permit differentiation of high-intensity hepatocellular carcinoma, including small daughter lesions, from low-intensity regenerating nodules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Itai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohtomo
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kokubo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imawari
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006392:Hemangioma, Cavernous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies