Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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MRI Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Related to Biologic Behavior

  • Cho, Eun-Suk (Department of Radiology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Jin-Young (Department of Radiology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2014.09.03
  • Accepted : 2015.02.23
  • Published : 2015.06.01
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Abstract

Imaging studies including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a crucial role in the diagnosis and staging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several recent studies reveal a large number of MRI features related to the prognosis of HCC. In this review, we discuss various MRI features of HCC and their implications for the diagnosis and prognosis as imaging biomarkers. As a whole, the favorable MRI findings of HCC are small size, encapsulation, intralesional fat, high apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, and smooth margins or hyperintensity on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Unfavorable findings include large size, multifocality, low ADC value, non-smooth margins or hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase images. MRI findings are potential imaging biomarkers in patients with HCC.

Keywords

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