MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma arising in genetic hemochromatosis.
A case of a 51-year-old male with previously unsuspected genetic hemochromatosis (GH) associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for which MR imaging was useful in diagnosis, is presented. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography depicted a mass in segment 8 of the liver and a liver tumor was suspected. The mass could not be revealed on unenhanced or enhanced CT examination. MR imaging with unenhanced T1-weighted FLASH and T2-weighted gradient echo sequences clearly depicted the tumor; the tumor appeared hyperintense against a background of low hepatic signal intensity caused by iron overload. The iron-overloaded liver provided a natural source of paramagnetic contrast for detection of HCC. Studies are required to further assess the accuracy of these sequences in detection of HCC in patients with GH.
Lwakatare
Flora
F
Department of Radiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hayashida
Yoshiko
Y
Yamashita
Yasuyuki
Y
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged