Liver Cancer
Copyright ©2007 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 28, 2007; 13(8): 1182-1186
Published online Feb 28, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i8.1182
Assessment of hemodynamics in precancerous lesion of hepatocellular carcinoma: Evaluation with MR perfusion
Sheng Guan, Wei-Dong Zhao, Kang-Rong Zhou, Wei-Jun Peng, Feng Tang, Jian Mao
Sheng Guan, Department of Radiology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
Wei-Dong Zhao, Department of Radiology, 2nd Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi Province, China
Kang-Rong Zhou, Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan university, Shanghai 200032, China
Wei-Jun Peng, Feng Tang, Jian Mao, Department of Radiology, Tumor Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the grants from Foundation of Ministry of Public Health of China, No. 20011420 and National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30470503
Correspondence to: Dr. Kang-Rong Zhou, Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. gs858@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-371-65167390 Fax: +86-371-66910839
Received: October 31, 2006
Revised: December 1, 2006
Accepted: December 30, 2007
Published online: February 28, 2007
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the hemodynamic changes in a precancerous lesion model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS: Hemodynamic changes in 18 Wistar rats were studied with non-invasive magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion. The changes induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) developed into liver nodular lesions due to hepatic cirrhosis during the progression of carcinogenesis. The MR perfusion data [positive enhancement integral (PEI)] were compared between the nodular lesions corresponding well with MR images and pathology and their surrounding hepatic parenchyma.

RESULTS: A total of 46 nodules were located by MR imaging and autopsy, including 22 dysplastic nodules (DN), 9 regenerative nodules (RN), 10 early HCCs and 5 overt HCCs. Among the 22 DNs, 6 were low-grade DN (LGDN) and 16 were high-grade DN (HGDN). The average PEI of RN, DN, early and overt HCC was 205.67 ± 31.17, 161.94 ± 20.74, 226.09 ± 34.83, 491.86 ± 44.61 respectively, and their liver parenchyma nearby was 204.84 ± 70.19. Comparison of the blood perfusion index between each RN and its surrounding hepatic parenchyma showed no statistically significant difference (P = 0.06). There were significant differences in DN (P = 0.02). During the late hepatic arterial phase, the perfusion curve in DN declined. DN had an iso-signal intensity at the early hepatic arterial phase and a low signal intensity at the portal venous phase. Of the 10 early HCCs, 4 demonstrated less blood perfusion and 6 displayed minimally increased blood flow compared to the surrounding parenchyma. Five HCCs showed significantly increased blood supply compared to the surrounding parenchyma (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION: Non-invasive MR perfusion can detect changes in blood supply of precancerous lesions.

Keywords: Liver, Perfusion, Magnetic resonance imaging, Rat