title: Imaging Requirements for Utilization of T2*-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Identification of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis: Effect of Hepatic Iron Content.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of the level of inherent hepatic iron deposition on the ability of multiecho T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T2*WI) to identify hepatocellular carcinoma. This is relevant to the ancillary features described in the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System reporting system.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective review identified liver transplant patients with a preoperative magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 T including gradient-recalled echo T2*WI (echo time, 9.5, 19.3, 29.0 milliseconds). A blinded, randomized reading was performed by a single reader of each of the images at each echo time. Hepatic iron content (HIC) was calculated for each participant and compared with the results of the blinded read.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-eight HCCs were identified on explant pathology in 73 participants. Of these, 57 HCCs (58%) were identified on T2*WI. However, no HCCs were visible in participants with HIC < 1.0 mg/g. For participants with HIC > 1.0 mg/g, 57 (88%) of 65 HCCs were visible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of HCCs can be identified on T2*WI without gadolinium; however, performance is significantly affected by background HIC.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC.
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Hardie
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D007501:Iron