Assessing the Malignancy of Hepataocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis Using the Hepatocellular Contrast Agent Gd-EOB-DTPA and Correlation with the Cytometric DNA Index

R. Röttgen, S. Kobi, C. Grieser, F. Streitparth, H. Al-Abadi, A. Duerr, W. Faber, J. Pratschke, P. Neuhaus, B. Hamm, L. Lüdemann

Abteilung für Strahlenphysik, Universit?tsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany.
Klinik für Allgemein-Visceral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Charite’ Campus Virchow Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, Germany.
Klinik für Radiologie, Charite’ Campus Virchow Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, Germany.
Klinik für Visceral-, Transplantations- und Thoraxchirurgie, Universit?tsklinikum Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.

DOI: 10.4236/ami.2013.31001                

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.

Keywords

Hepatocellular Carcinoma; DNA Index; DNA Cytometry; Malignancy Grading

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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