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©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2013; 19(42): 7433-7439
Published online Nov 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7433
Published online Nov 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i42.7433
Differentiation between dysplastic nodule and early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma: The utility of conventional MR imaging
Chen-Te Chou, Ran-Chou Chen, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, National Yang-Ming Medical University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
Chen-Te Chou, Chia-Bang Chen, Department of Radiology, Chang-Hua Christian Hospital, Chang-Hua 500, Taiwan
Jung-Mao Chou, Ting-An Chang, Shiu-Feng Huang, Department of Pathology, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Yao-Li Chen, Transplant Medicine and Surgery Research Centre, Chang-Hua Christian Hospital, Chang-Hua 500, Taiwan
Ran-Chou Chen, Department of Radiology, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Author contributions: Chou CT and Chen RC designed the research; Chou CT, Chen CB, Chou JM, Chang TA, and Huang SF performed the research; Chen RC and Chen YL analyzed the data; and Chou CT, Chou JM and Chen RC wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ran-Chou Chen, MD, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, National Yang-Ming Medical University, Beitou District, Taipei 112, Taiwan. chenranchou@yahoo.com.tw
Telephone: +886-2-27093600-5103 Fax: +886-2-27040013
Received: June 22, 2013
Revised: August 16, 2013
Accepted: September 16, 2013
Published online: November 14, 2013
Processing time: 148 Days and 20.3 Hours
Revised: August 16, 2013
Accepted: September 16, 2013
Published online: November 14, 2013
Processing time: 148 Days and 20.3 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: The aim of this article was to differentiate between early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and dysplastic nodules using conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. We found that conventional MR imaging could provide additional information to differentiate between early-stage HCC and dysplastic nodules in equivocal lesions. During follow-up for a cirrhotic nodules, increased signal intensity on T2-weighted axial images may be a sign of malignant transformation. Loss of hyperintensity on T1WI and the detection of arterial enhancement may indicate further progression of the histological grade.