Stepwise carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in the cirrhotic liver: demonstration on serial MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate imaging findings of stepwise carcinogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis at serial state-of-the-art MR imaging exams.


METHODS
In a retrospective search of the hospital archives, three patients were identified in which developing HCC was observed in serial MR examinations, with histopathology or alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) correlation. Image findings were assessed for signal intensity of the lesions at multiple sequences, including dynamic gadolinium-enhanced imaging.


RESULTS
Initial findings in patient A showed a small nodule with fatty infiltration that developed in HCC in follow-up MRI, comprised of low-grade dysplastic nodule (DN; DN I), high-grade DN (DN II), and eventually classic HCC. In patient B, increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images in a single DN among numerous regenerative nodules was the only initial sign. Follow up MRI showed further increase in signal intensity and increased neovascularity, which suggested focal HCC in a DN II. Patient C demonstrated gradually increasing neovascularity as only initial sign, with development of classic HCC over time.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging provides insight in various pathways of stepwise carcinogenesis of developing HCC in cirrhosis. This may further explain the genetic heterogeneity, and may facilitate early detection and better selection of patients for follow-up.
van den Bos
Indra C
IC
Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC, The Netherlands. i.vandenbos@erasmusmc.nl
Hussain
Shahid M
SM
Terkivatan
Türkan
T
Zondervan
Pieter E
PE
de Man
Robert A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique