Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Diffusion-Weighted MRI: Detection and Evaluation of Treatment Response

Abstract

Differentiating between cancerous tissue and healthy liver parenchyma could represent a challenge with the only conventional Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) exploits different tissue characteristics to conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences that enhance hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection, characterization, and post-treatment evaluation. Detection of HCC is improved by DWI, infact this technology increases conspicuity of lesions that might otherwise not be identified due to obscuration by adjacent vessels or due to low contrast between the lesion and background liver. It is important to remember that DWI combined with contrast-enhanced MRI has higher sensitivity than DWI alone, and that some patients are not eligible for use of contrast on CT and MRI; in these patients DWI has a prominent role. MRI has advanced beyond structural anatomic imaging to now showing pathophysiologic processes. DWI is a promising way to characterize lesions utilizing the inherent contrast within the liver and has the benefit of not requiring contrast injection. DWI improves detection and characterization of HCC. Proposed clinical uses for DWI include: assessing prognosis, predicting response, monitoring response to therapy, and distinguishing tumor recurrence from treatment effect. Ideally, DWI will help risk stratify patients and will participate in prognostic modeling.

Introduction

Differentiating between cancerous tissue and healthy liver parenchyma could represent a challenge with the only conventional Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) exploits different tissue characteristics to conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sequences that enhance hepatocellular carcinoma detection, characterization, and post-treatment evaluation. By measuring diffusion of water molecules, the DWI technique is an indicator of tissue cellularity and shows promise as a prognostic imaging biomarker.

DWI technique

DWI is an MRI sequence that uses an unique imaging contrast mechanism: the diffusion of water's molecules in the tissues. Differences in the restriction of water diffusion permit differentiation between normal and abnormal tissue. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are smaller than normal hepatocytes ¹. This results in higher number of cells and cell membranes per voxel, thus restricting the diffusion of water molecules which results in higher signal intensity in HCC relative to liver parenchyma. Therefore, restricted diffusion is an indirect measure of tumor hypercellularity^2-5. DWI takes advantage of the restriction of water motion in tumors, improving the signal contrast between tumors and background hepatic parenchyma. DWI is a T2 weighted sequence that quantitatively assesses the motion of water molecules in tissues in vivo. Diffusion weighting is determined by the b-value, expressed in seconds per square millimeter. When b=0, there is no diffusion weighting and the images correspond to T2 weighted images. When b-values increase, the images are more sensitive to diffusion, with a greater lesion-liver contrast. In clinical applications, two or more b-values are acquired for two main reasons: 1) to qualitatively assess signal intensity changes in tissues, and 2) to calculate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. The b-values clinically used, usually include one in the low range (0-50 s/mm2) and one in the intermediate-to-high range (400-800 s/mm2). More b-values can be added to calculate more accurate ADC maps and for more complex intra voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) models. Complex modeling of IVIM may have the potential for discriminating water molecules diffusion and tissue micro-perfusion; this is undergoing extensive research but has found neither unequivocal validation nor clinical applications yet. Areas of restricted diffusion, and thus high cellularity, will appear as hyperintense (bright) signal on DWI (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Multiplanar images through the liver in a patient with hepato-cholangio-carcinoma status post left hepatectomy. A lesion adjacent to a vessel is hyperintense on DWI axial (A) and coronal (B) images. The lesion is dark on ADC map (C), indicating restricted diffusion. Lesion is more apparent on DWI images than post-contrast axial (D), and T2 axial (E) and coronal (F) images; this is due to proximity of the lesion to the hepatic vein as well demonstrated in the coronal DWI (D).

The quantification of water motion is reflected in the ADC, which is measured in square millimeter per second, best visualized as how much area a water molecule can cover per second. ADC is the post-processing of DWI sequences and an important diagnostic tool for DWI. ADC is calculated from two or more images with different b-values and displayed as an ADC map. Depending on the MR system and software, ADC maps may be obtained automatically or may require manual reformatting of the diffusion weighted image.

On DWI images a T2 shine through effect may happen, especially for low-to-medium b values, which are the ones used in clinical abdominal imaging. T2 shine through is when T2 hyperintense fluid remains hyperintense on DWI. Shine through is due to high amount of water within the lesion; when a lot of water is present, there may be enough water incidentally not moving or not moving fast enough to have a significant (qualitatively perceivable) decrease in signal intensity at low-to-medium b values. This can be misleading. The shine through effect can be detected on ADC maps where areas of shine through on DWI will have high ADC values. Shine through effect can also be unveiled by increasing the b value; however this is not practical in a clinical setting. Thus, DWI and ADC sequences are evaluated side by side to confirm if DWI hyperintensity truly indicates restricted diffusion (Figure 2). Restricted diffusion manifests as qualitative increased signal contrast between lesions and background liver on DWI which corresponds to low ADC values, thus not attributable to T2 shine through.

Figure 2.

Axial MRI images through the liver demonstrating a small simple cyst. A subcentimeter lesion is present in hepatic segment 7; the lesion demonstrates high signal intensity on T2 weighted images (A) and b 500 s/mm² DWI (B). However, it is bright on ADC map (C) indicating high diffusion consistent with T2 shine through phenomena. Shine through phenomena is not rare in cysts.

Using the inherent contrast within the tissue allows imaging without intravenous contrast, which is particularly relevant in patients with chronic renal failure; in fact these patients are exposed to additional risks and potential morbidity by the use of contrast media. Another benefit of DWI is its short acquisition time, which depending on the technique (breath-hold, free breathing, respiratory navigator, respiratory triggering, etc.) is usually within 2-3 minutes^2-5.

There are several confounders making the quantification of lesions through DWI and ADC difficult. Average ADC values do not capture the known heterogeneity in tumors. Signal intensity is both scanner dependent, including technique and field strength, as well as patient dependent, including the inflammatory state of the liver, the amount of iron deposition, and changes in microcirculation. Therefore, no thresholds exist for DWI or ADC that are widely applied. DWI is usually acquired with eco-planar imaging (EPI) which is prone to inhomogeneity artifacts. However, DWI relies on a different contrast mechanism and spoils a different tissue characteristic to generate signal contrast between tissues. For these reasons DWI is complementary to the other MR sequences^2-5.

Most HCCs are hypervascular, when compared to the background liver parenchyma. Because at lower b values (0-50 s/mm2) decrease in signal intensity is mainly affected by micro perfusion, low b values may decrease the contrast between HCCs and background liver parenchyma. Intuitively ADC measurements are affected by high vascularity of HCCs especially when low b values are used.

Lesion detection / Diagnosis and Staging of HCC

Detection of HCC is improved by DWI^6,7. DWI increases conspicuity of lesions that might otherwise not be identified due to obscuration by adjacent vessels or due to low contrast between the lesion and background liver (Figure 1). DWI nulls the signal within vessels, which is a significant difference, compared to T2 and T1 weighted images and probably the reason why small lesions adjacent to vessels are more easily detected on DWI. DWI increases the detection rate of HCC, particularly true for small cancers^8,9,10,11, although some disagreement is still present on this.¹² DWI assists in detection of small intrahepatic metastases by increasing the detection rate of subcentimeter tumor nodules in patients with HCC ⁹. It is important to remember that DWI combined with contrast-enhanced MRI has higher sensitivity than DWI alone, and that some patients are not eligible for use of contrast on CT and MRI; in these patients DWI has a prominent role. DWI can be combined in evaluation of liver lesions; some lesions can be more evident on DWI while others can be more evident on post contrast images; however, once the lesion is uncovered in one sequence, it can be identified on the other sequences. Combining signal intensity characteristics on DWI and contrast enhanced sequences allows for a confident characterization of most of the liver lesions. An enhancing lesion associated with restricted diffusion is likely viable neoplastic tissue ^10,13,14.

DWI has imperfect sensitivity in detecting HCC (published range between 62% and 91%). Some HCC do not restrict diffusion or only minimally restrict diffusion, particularly lesions with well differentiated components; this is possibly due to minimal difference in the cellularity of these well differentiated HCCs and the background liver parenchyma.¹² Another cause for false negative DWI is cirrhosis. Cirrhotic hepatic parenchyma causes restricted diffusion of water molecules compared to normal parenchyma. In a fibrotic liver, a HCC will have decreased lesion to liver contrast on DWI^10,15. Therefore, if a lesion is suspicious for HCC on conventional MR sequences, the absence of restricted diffusion does not necessarily exclude HCC, especially if the background parenchyma is fibrotic ¹⁶. Liver fibrosis and presence of regenerative and dysplastic nodules is a well know confounding factor for HCC detection in DWI as well as in other MRI sequences and other image modalities such as ultrasound and CT.

Regenerative and dysplastic nodules tend to accumulate iron¹⁷, resulting in decreased signal intensity on DWI which is most prominent at higher b values. Decreased signal-to-noise ratio on DWI occurs because iron deposition has a strong T2 shortening effect and creates magnetic field inhomogeneities. Hepatocytes in HCC are usually iron-poor with iron content lower than background parenchyma, and may even be resistant to iron accumulation^18,19. Iron-poor HCC therefore does not show these effects of iron deposition seen in regenerative and dysplastic nodules. If an iron-free focus develops within an iron-containing nodule, this is a sign of early neoplasia²⁰. Another sign of neoplasia can be an iron-free focus in a liver with diffuse iron deposition.

Distinguishing bland thrombus from tumor thrombus is a promising area for DWI. Currently controversies exist concerning the utility of DWI in evaluating venous thrombus, with some authors finding DWI can differentiate tumor thrombus from bland thrombus²¹. Other authors have found DWI not helpful due to overlap in ADC between bland and tumor thrombus²². Larger prospective studies are needed to establish the value of DWI in detecting tumor thrombus.

Lesion characterization

Hypovascular nodules in patients with cirrhosis often pose a diagnostic dilemma since they can represent different etiologies, including nodular areas of fibrosis, cirrhotic nodules, low-grade or high-grade dysplastic nodules or well differentiated HCC. Cirrhotic nodules and dysplastic nodules are usually isointense on DWI. Therefore, if the differential diagnosis on conventional MR sequences is a cirrhotic nodule, a dysplastic nodule, or HCC, the presence of restricted diffusion favors a malignant etiology. In a patient with chronic liver disease, these hypovascular nodules with restricted diffusion should raise a suspicion of well differentiated HCC, or at least of a high-grade dysplastic nodule, thus helping to characterize lesions^{7,23,14,24,25}. Additionally, adding DWI to conventional MRI improves reader confidence⁸ and accuracy²⁶.

DWI is not specific and the restriction of water molecules can indicate a benign or malignant lesion. Small hemangiomas may restrict diffusion and be mistaken for malignancy²⁷, although hemangiomas are often markedly, diffusely T2 hyperintense and usually do not pose a diagnostic dilemma. Restricted diffusion is commonly seen in malignancy and is not specific to HCC, as it is also seen in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and hepatic metastases. ADC values of solid benign lesions such as FNH or adenoma can overlap with ADC values of malignant lesions²⁸. The presence of hyperenhancement in the arterial phase and washout in the portal venous phase allow for the specific diagnosis of HCC ^{6, 8, 11, 16}. In our experience the radiologist should use all sequences to try to characterize lesions detected on DWI.

Role of DWI in predicting response to treatment and post-treatment lesion evaluation

DWI has potential as a prognostic indicator in patients planning to undergo treatment for HCC, including both surgical resection and locoregional therapy. Preoperative ADC was shown as a significant risk factor for early HCC recurrence after surgical resection²⁹. ADC of hepatocellular tumors can be predictive of response to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), with tumors showing lower pre-treatment ADC associated with poor or incomplete response to TACE³⁰. ADC is even a potential predictor of survival in patients with HCC treated with TACE; changes in ADC of tumors following TACE was shown to be an independent predictor of progression-free survival³¹ and overall survival³². After intra-arterial therapy for unresectable HCC, changes in ADC and venous enhancement can stratify patients into different survival categories^33,34. DWI is a promising imaging tool in predicting prognosis and response to treatments, however more investigation is required.

Evaluation of treated HCC is a common clinical challenge. Local-regional treatment of HCC results in dynamic changes and remodeling occurring at the site of treatment. A proposed clinical use for DWI includes distinguishing recurrent tumor from treatment effect. Residual or recurrent tumor manifests as low ADC values and necrotic/edematous areas show high ADC values. DWI can provide an early assessment of response to treatment, with an increase in ADC signal corresponding to the successful treatment of lesions^{35-37, 38}. Unfortunately, tumors often have mixed histology with tumor, necrosis, and granulation tissue. This produces controversial results and DWI is not always a reliable predictor of HCC recurrence compared to contrast-enhanced MRI³⁹. Therefore, DWI should be used together with contrast-enhanced MRI and subtracted images for best results in evaluation of tumor response to treatment.

Role of DWI as a biomarker

Hepatic carcinogenesis is a multistep process; with progression from cirrhotic nodules to dysplastic nodules to well differentiated HCC⁴⁰. Hyperintensity on DWI in hypovascular nodules in patients with cirrhosis has been shown to predict progression to hypervascular HCC⁴¹.

DWI can predict the histopathologic grade of HCC. There is an inverse correlation between tumor grade and ADC value, with poorly differentiated HCC showing more restricted diffusion than well differentiated HCC^{42,43,29,44-46} although one study showed no significant association between DWI and HCC tumor grade⁴⁷. DWI shows promise as an imaging biomarker, since restricted diffusion can indicate presence of progenitor cell markers⁴⁸, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression^49-51, and microvascular invasion⁵² (Table 1).

Table 1.

Role of DWI as a biomarker.

Tumor Grade	ADC	Potential association
High differentiation	Good diffusion	No reported association
Well differentiation	Moderate diffusion	No reported association
Poor differentiation	Restricted diffusion	presence of progenitor cell markers 1
Scarce differentiation	Scarce diffusion	presence of progenitor cell markers 1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression2-51, and microvascular invasion52.

Ongoing research is using multiple b values (even more than 10) and more complex water diffusion models in the attempt to differentiate between IVIM due to microcirculation, also referred as pseudo-diffusion, from true diffusion. Moreover current diffusion models are unable to differentiate between intra- and extra-cellular water diffusion, which may represent a substantial confounding factor in lesion characterization.

The role of DWI as a predictor of HCC pathologic grade is still under investigation. In fact the mathematical models aiming to differentiate between intravascular, extravascular, intracellular, and extravascular extracellular spaces water diffusion are still under investigation. The currently available data, on correlation between ADC values and histology should be probably interpreted as trends and not univocally explainable observations.

Conclusions

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) should be considered as a functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, useful to detect the most critical-size body malignancies: the liver is a parenchymatous organ with an important rate of malignancy development that will be advantaged from this diagnostic technique. DWI maps water diffusivity, which in HCC may be restricted as a result of changes ensuing from hepatocarcinogenesis. MRI has advanced beyond structural anatomic imaging to now showing pathophysiologic processes. DWI is a promising way to characterize lesions utilizing the inherent contrast within the liver and has the benefit of not requiring contrast injection. DWI improves detection and characterization of HCC. Proposed clinical uses for DWI include: assessing prognosis, predicting response, monitoring response to therapy, and distinguishing tumor recurrence from treatment effect. Ideally, DWI will help risk stratify patients and will participate in prognostic modeling. There is great promise that DWI will improve patient care and provide insight into tumor biology, without increasing to the healthcare general costs with respect to other commonly used imaging techniques.

In current clinical practice the main strengths of DWI are to increase the confidence in diagnosis of HCC especially when intravenous contrast administration is not possible or for small lesions adjacent to vessels.

The major limits of DWI are inconsistency in image quality, which is heavily effected by magnetic field inhomogeneity artifacts, and limited models to correlate quantitative measurements to histopathology: an important technical development could be focused on the amelioration of the image quality with a specific software able to reduce the artifacts, moreover, the radiologists would need of more reliable prognostic models to more frequently use this technique.