Small hypervascular hepatocellular carcinomas: value of "washout" on gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MR imaging compared to superparamagnetic iron oxide-enhanced imaging.
The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the value of "washout" on dynamic MR imaging with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced imaging features of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A total of 74 small (5-30 mm) hypervascular HCCs in 42 cirrhotic patients who underwent double contrast material-enhanced MR imaging were evaluated to determine the presence of washout in the portal or equilibrium phase of gadolinium-enhanced dynamic imaging and decreased uptake of SPIO on T2*-weighted imaging. HCCs were verified histologically (n = 13) or by serial follow-up imaging studies (n = 61). According to the size of the lesions, 27 vs. 73% (<10 mm, n = 15; P = 0.016 on McNemar test), 39 vs. 79% (10-14 mm, n = 28; P = 0.002), 50 vs. 93% (15-20 mm, n = 14; P = 0.031), and 82 vs. 100% (>20 mm, n = 17; P = 0.250) of the lesions showed washout vs. decreased SPIO accumulation respectively. The larger the lesion, the higher the prevalence of washout or decreased SPIO uptake (P = 0.004 or P = 0.036, respectively, on Mantel-Haenszel test). In many small hypervascular HCCs up to 2 cm, SPIO-enhanced MR imaging offers essential information for early diagnosis in the absence of washout on dynamic imaging.
Yu
Jeong-Sik
JS
Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiological Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Gangnam Severance Hospital, 612 Eonjuro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul 135-720, Republic of Korea. yjsrad97@yuhs.ac
Chung
Jae-Joon
JJ
Kim
Joo Hee
JH
Kim
Ki Whang
KW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D005290:Ferric Compounds; C000499:ferric oxide; D005682:Gadolinium