摘要
Noninvasive imaging has become the standard for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) diagnosis in cirrhotic livers. In this review paper, we go over the basics of MR imaging in cirrhotic livers and describe the imaging appearance of a spectrum of hepatic nodules marking the progression from regenerative nodules to low- and high-grade dysplastic nodules, and ultimately to HCCs. We detail and illustrate the typical imaging appearancesof different types of HCC including focal, multifocal, massive, diffuse/infiltrative, and intra-hepatic metastases; with emphasis on the diagnostic value of MR in imaging these lesions. We also shed some light on liver imaging reporting and data system, and the role of different magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) contrast agents and future MRI techniques including the use of advanced MR pulse sequences and utilization of hepatocyte-specific MRI contrast agents, and how they might contribute to improving the diagnostic performance of MRI in early stage HCC diagnosis.
Noninvasive imaging has become the standard forhepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） diagnosis in cirrhoticlivers. In this review paper, we go over the basics ofMR imaging in cirrhotic livers and describe the imagingappearance of a spectrum of hepatic nodules markingthe progression from regenerative nodules to low- andhigh-grade dysplastic nodules, and ultimately to HCCs.We detail and illustrate the typical imaging appearancesof different types of HCC including focal, multifocal,massive, diffuse/infiltrative, and intra-hepaticmetastases; with emphasis on the diagnostic value ofMR in imaging these lesions. We also shed some lighton liver imaging reporting and data system, and therole of different magnetic resonance imaging （MRI）contrast agents and future MRI techniques includingthe use of advanced MR pulse sequences and utilizationof hepatocyte-specific MRI contrast agents, and howthey might contribute to improving the diagnosticperformance of MRI in early stage HCC diagnosis.
