Table 2.
MRI differentiation of nodules in chronic liver disease
| Sequence | Regenerative | Dysplastic | HCC |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1-weighted 3D GRE | |||
| Precontrast | ↑ or iso | ↑ or iso | ↑, iso or ↓ |
| Arterial enhancement | − | + | + |
| Delayed washout | − | − | + |
| T2-weighted (single shot) | iso | iso | ↑ or iso |
| T1-weighted dual echo GRE, lipid (Loss of signal, out-of-phase) | − | − | + |
| DWI | − | − | − or + |
| Gadoxetate disodium | iso | iso | ↓ (majority) or ↑ (small percentage) |
↑, increased signal relative to background hepatic parenchyma; ↓, decreased signal relative to background hepatic parenchyma; Iso, isointense signal relative to background hepatic parenchyma; +, present; -, absent; DWI, diffusion-weighted imaging; GRE, gradient echo; 3D, three-dimensional.