MR Imaging of the Liver in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

In 10 patients with hepatoma, magnetic resonance (MR) and CT [computed tomography] of the liver were subjectively compared and correlated with surgical or autopsy findings. In 5 cases, MR defined the extent of the tumor better. MR was particularly useful in differentiating the tumor from otherwise abnormal areas of the liver, mostly focal cirrhosis. MR has the advantage of demonstrating major vessels in relation to the hepatoma without injection of any contrast agent. Calcifications well visualized on CT are not seen on MR. The lack of dynamic bolus CT in the majority of cases as well as the inability to examine the entire liver with all 3 MR pulse sequences because of time restraint are significant limitations of this retrospective study.