| Theme | Controversies Over Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Use of SPIO-enhanced MR Imaging in Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinomas | |
| Publish Date | 2002/08 | |
| Author | Shinji Hirohashi | Departments of Radiology and Oncoradiology, Nara Medical University |
| Author | Rina Hirohashi | Departments of Radiology and Oncoradiology, Nara Medical University |
| Author | Satoru Kitano | Departments of Radiology and Oncoradiology, Nara Medical University |
| Author | Nagaaki Marugami | Departments of Radiology and Oncoradiology, Nara Medical University |
| Author | Koji Ueda | Departments of Radiology and Oncoradiology, Nara Medical University |
| Author | Kimihiko Kichikawa | Departments of Radiology and Oncoradiology, Nara Medical University |
| Author | Hajime Ohishi | Departments of Radiology and Oncoradiology, Nara Medical University |
| [ Summary ] | Since superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles were taken up by Kupffer or Kupffer-like cells, not only in non tumorous liver tissue but also in hepatocellular tumors, such as well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or dysplastic nodule, SPIO-enhanced MRI was not considered to be useful for tumor detection in patients with HCCs. However, from the view point of differential diagnosis, SPIO-enhanced MRI was seen to be very useful, because it can differentiate between pseudo-lesions, caused by hepatic regional perfusion abnormalities such as arterioportal shunts and classical HCCs. Furthermore, SPIO-enhanced MRI reflects Kuffer-cell numbers in HCCs and dysplastic nodules, and are useful in estimation of histological grading in HCCs. However, uncertainties persist in differentiating dysplastic nodules from well differentiated HCCs. We concluded that SPIO-enhanced MRI should not be used as a primary method in all cases but as a problem-solving method, with otherimaging modalities, in particular cases. | |