Angiogenesis in hepatocellular nodules: correlation of MR imaging and vascular endothelial growth factor.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the correlation between magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings and angiogenetic activity in hepatocellular nodules evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with antibody of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).


METHODS
We searched the pathologic records of our institution from December 1999 to April 2002, and included 16 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (N = 14), large regenerative nodule (N = 1), and dysplastic nodule (N = 1) who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (10 patients) or partial hepatectomy (six patients) and MR imaging within an interval of two weeks. The MR images were retrospectively assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Angiogenetic activity of the hepatic nodules was evaluated by means of immunohistochemical study for VEGF. Analysis of variance and the Scheffé criterion were used for statistical evaluation.


RESULTS
Hepatic nodules with moderate to strong immunoreactivity for VEGF showed higher signal intensity on T1-weighted images (P < 0.05) and those with intense immunoreactivity for VEGF showed higher signal intensity on T2-weighted images (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between the immunoreactivity for VEGF and tumor vascularity on postcontrast early- and late-phase images.


CONCLUSIONS
Our current results suggest that signal intensity on unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted MR images may correlate with immunoreactivity for VEGF. Correlation was not found between immunoreactivity for VEGF and signal intensity on gadolinium-enhanced MR images.
Kanematsu
Masayuki
M
Department of Radiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. masa-gif@umin.ac.jp
Semelka
Richard C
RC
Leonardou
Polytimi
P
Mastropasqua
Maria
M
Armao
Diane
D
Vaidean
Georgeta
G
Firat
Zeynep
Z
Woosley
John T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
D003287:Contrast Media; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C064925:gadodiamide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA