High-resolution MR imaging evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma.
PURPOSE: To determine the utility of high-resolution MR imaging for hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-resolution MR images with a 512 matrix in a right to left frequency encoding direction were obtained in 20 consecutive patients with known or suspected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Six series of breath-hold images of the entire liver [T1- and T2-weighted fast spin echo sequences, T1-weighted fast low-angle shot gradient echo sequence and three-phased contrast-enhanced dynamic study using the latter) were obtained using a phased-array multicoil. RESULTS: HCC was depicted in 15 patients on the MR images, and the diagnosis was confirmed at pathology in 13 and at imaging in the other two. In the remaining five patients, HCC was correctly ruled out with MR imaging. CONCLUSION: High-resolution MR imaging is a promising method in the evaluation of HCC.