Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: spin-echo and contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to identify the conventional spin-echo and contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging features of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.


METHODS
Eight patients with pathologically proved intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were examined with conventional spin-echo and contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging with a 1.5-T superconductive unit. The results were analyzed to include the signal intensity of the mass relative to liver parenchyma on conventional spin-echo images and the pattern and degree of enhancement on dynamic MR images.


RESULTS
The characteristic appearance of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was a large mass with an irregular margin, satellite nodules, and a central scar. Tumors were hypointense relative to liver parenchyma on T1-weighted spin-echo images and hyperintense on T2-weighted spin-echo images. On dynamic MR studies, tumors characteristically had minimal or moderate rim enhancement with progressive and concentric filling with contrast material.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggests that intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has a typical pattern on contrast-enhanced dynamic MR images.
Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
Z M
ZM
Fan
Y
Y
Yamashita
M
M
Harada
Y
Y
Baba
H
H
Yamamoto
T
T
Matsukawa
A
A
Arakawa
T
T
Miyazaki
M
M
Takahashi
D002759:Adenoma, Bile Duct / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies