The role of imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma: the present and future

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2013 Jul:47 Suppl:S7-10. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e31827f0d3d.

Abstract

Imaging plays an important role in diagnosis and management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although ultrasound is the main surveillance imaging tool for HCC, dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used primarily for diagnosis and staging of HCC. Recent advances in both CT and MRI technology have led to a decrease in ionizing radiation exposure and improved capabilities for evaluation of HCC, including, dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and MRI, perfusion CT and MRI, dual-energy CT, radiation dose reduction strategies, diffusion-weighted imaging, MR elastography, iron and fat quantification, and intravenous hepatobiliary contrast agents.

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / diagnosis*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / trends
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*