Hepatocellular carcinoma: MR imaging findings in cirrhotic livers and noncirrhotic livers.

PURPOSE: To compare the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic versus noncirrhotic livers.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

MR images in 36 patients with HCC (30 men and she women aged 42-84 years [mean age, 65 years]) were retrospectively reviewed. The number and size of hepatic lesions were assessed. Lesion margins were categorized as well circumscribed or ill defined. The presence of a capsule, intratumoral high signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images, and a stellate scar were determined.

RESULTS

Eleven (31%) patients had MR imaging evidence of cirrhosis, and 25 (69%) did not: Lesions in cirrhotic livers differed significantly from those in noncirrhotic livers in terms of size (22 cm2 vs 99 cm2, P < .05), frequency of a solitary lesion (27% vs 72%, P < .05), and frequency of a central scar (6% vs 50%, P < .05). There was no difference between the cirrhotic and noncirrhotic livers with regard to tumor margin, intratumoral high signal intensity on T1-weighted images, or tumor capsule.

CONCLUSION

Differences exist in the MR imaging appearance of HCC between patients with and those without cirrhosis, although there is overlap of imaging findings.