title: [Correlation between SPIO-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological grading in hepatocellular carcinoma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is one of the most common tumors in the world. The diagnosis of HCC is very difficult.This study was designed to evaluate the role of SPIO(superparamagnetic iron oxide)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma and its correlation with histological grading.
  
  
  METHODS
  Conventional plain and Feridex-enhanced MRI scanning was performed in 30 patients with suspected hepatic lesions. The signal intensity and Kupffer-cell-count of lesions and nontumorous area was observed. SPIO intensity ratio and the ratio of Kupffer-cell-count were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ratio of Kupffer-cell-count in well-differentiated HCC (1.05+/-0.12) was higher than those in moderately and poorly-differentiated HCC (0.38+/-0.21 and 0.15+/-0.14, respectively) (P< 0.01). The ratio of the intensity of tumor lesions to that of nontumor area on SPIO-enhanced MRI inversely related to Kupffer-cell-count ratio in hepatic lesions (r=0.064,P< 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPIO-enhanced MRI may reflect Kupffer-cell- count in HCC and dysplastic nodules and is useful for estimation of histological grading in HCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, PR China. zhangdandancncn@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Xue-Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bi-Ling
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Sui-Qiao
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007501:Iron; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; D007501:Iron; C065507:ferumoxides; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide