Early hepatocellular carcinomas showing isointensity or hyperintensity in gadoxetic acid-enhanced, hepatocyte-phase magnetic resonance images.

Abstract

Hypointensity in the hepatocyte phase is believed to be a key feature of hypovascular early hepatocellular carcinoma, which indicates malignancy. The 3 cases we present suggest that the converse is not true. Three small hepatocellular lesions showed isointensity/hyperintensity on gadoxetic acid-enhanced, hepatocyte-phase magnetic resonance images and were pathologically confirmed as early hepatocellular carcinomas. We conclude that isointensity or hyperintensity in the hepatocyte phase does not always represent benignity of hepatocellular lesions in the cirrhotic liver.

• Authors: Ningxin Chen, Utaroh Motosugi, Katsuhiro Sano, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Masayuki Nakano, Hiroyuki Morisaka, Shintaro Ichikawa, Masanori Matsuda, Hideki Fujii, Nobuyuki Enomoto, Tsutomu Araki
• Journal: Journal of computer assisted tomography (J Comput Assist Tomogr) 2013 May-Jun Vol. 37 Issue 3 Pg. 466-9 ISSN: 1532-3145 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23674023 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contrast Media

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (diagnosis, pathology)
• Contrast Media
• Female
• Hepatocytes (pathology)
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (diagnosis, pathology)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male