title: MR-imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma capsule appearance in cirrhotic liver: comparison of gadoxetic acid and gadobenate dimeglumine.
abstract: The purpose of the study is to compare the MR-imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) capsule appearance on gadoxetic acid and gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging, using imaging-based presumptive diagnosis of HCC as the reference standard.
  
  
  
  Gadoxetic acid and gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging of 51 patients with 71 HCCs were retrospectively reviewed. Three readers graded in consensus, using a five-point scale, the presence (score 4-5) of capsule appearance on images obtained during T1-weighted GRE portal venous phase (PVP), 3-min phase, and hepatobiliary phase (HBP). The Fisher's exact test and the t student unpaired test were performed.
  
  
  
  A hyperintense capsule appearance was present either on PVP or 3-min phase in 11/46 and in 24/25 HCCs imaged with gadoxetic acid and gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging, respectively (24% vs. 96% p < 0.001). A hypointense capsule appearance was present on HBP in 8/46 and 0/22 HCCs evaluated with gadoxetic acid and gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging, respectively (17% vs. 0% p = 0.046). A capsule appearance was detected either on PVP, 3-min phase, or HBP in 17/46 (37%) HCCs after gadoxetic acid injection and in 24/25 (96%) HCCs after gadobenate dimeglumine injection (p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  A capsule appearance was more frequently seen on gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging when compared to gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging.
authors.affiliation: Section of Radiological Sciences, Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies DiBiMed, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. marco_dioguardi@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dioguardi Burgio
authors.affiliation: Section of Radiological Sciences, Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies DiBiMed, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Picone
authors.affiliation: Section of Gastroenterology, Biomedical Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties DiBiMIS, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cabibbo
authors.affiliation: Section of Radiological Sciences, Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies DiBiMed, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Midiri
authors.affiliation: Section of Radiological Sciences, Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies DiBiMed, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagalla
authors.affiliation: Section of Radiological Sciences, Department of Biopathology and Medical Biotechnologies DiBiMed, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brancatelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA
keywords: Capsule; Gadobenate dimeglumine; Gadoxetic acid; Hepatocellular carcinoma; MR imaging