TITLE:
Assessing the Malignancy of Hepataocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis Using the Hepatocellular Contrast Agent Gd-EOB-DTPA and Correlation with the Cytometric DNA Index
AUTHORS:
R. Röttgen, S. Kobi, C. Grieser, F. Streitparth, H. Al-Abadi, A. Duerr, W. Faber, J. Pratschke, P. Neuhaus, B. Hamm, L. Lüdemann
KEYWORDS:
Hepatocellular Carcinoma; DNA Index; DNA Cytometry; Malignancy Grading
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Molecular Imaging,
Vol.3 No.1,
January
30,
2013
ABSTRACT: Aim: Investigation whether the
signal intensity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on dynamic magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) with hepatocellular contrast medium (CM) correlates with
the histologic malignancy grade and cytometric DNA index. Material and Methods: MRI at 1.5 T with hepatocellular CM
Gd-DTPA-EOB of 63 patients (52 men, 11 women; 64.0 ± 8.5 years) with HCC in
cirrhosis. SI of the tumor and liver tissue in sequences (T1, T1fs, T2fs, T1fs
+ CM (arterial, venous, late venous phase) were correlated like the asymmetry
coefficient of the SI in the arterial and venous phases respective the native
and late venous phases of the tumor with the histologic malignancy grade and DNA
index indicating the grade of abnormal DNA steam line respective aneuploid DNA. Results: SI did not significantly
correlate with the histologic malignancy grade or DNA index for precontrast or
postcontrast images. There is
a significant correlation for the asymmetry coefficient of the SI in the
arterial and venous phases with the DNA-index (p values of 0.00089 (Pearson)
and 0.0082 (Spearman). Conclusion: A
highly arterialized hepatocellular carcinoma with rapid washout in the venous
phase corresponds to a higher malignant potential. These
findings suggest that the MR parameters investigated here may predict the
malignant potential and prognosis of HCC before surgery.