title: Diffusion-weighted MRI of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis.
abstract: The internationally accepted diagnostic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis are highly accurate for large tumours, but offer relatively low sensitivity for small (<2 cm) tumours. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that has been studied extensively as an aid to visualize various abdominal malignancies, including HCC in cirrhosis. DWI maps water diffusivity, which in HCC may be restricted as a result of changes ensuing from hepatocarcinogenesis. The present review is based on up-to-date evidence and describes the strengths and weaknesses of DWI, both as a standalone technique and as an adjunct sequence to conventional protocols, in the diagnosis, staging, prognostication, and assessment of treatment response of HCC in cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433, Singapore. Electronic address: kianslim@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media