Pseudolesion in segment IV of the liver on MRI: Prevalence and morphology in 250 cirrhotic livers compared with 250 normal livers

Purpose: The goal of our study was to assess the prevalence of pseudolesion in segment IV of the liver on MRI in patients with and without liver cirrh osis. Method: Patients were divided into three groups: 10 patients with angiograp hically confirmed aberrant gastric venous drainage and liver cirrhosis (Gro up 1), 250 consecutively selected patients with liver cirrhosis (Group 3,), and 250 with normal liver (Group 3). The signal intensity of pseudolesion in segment IV on T1- and T2-weighted MRI in the 510 patients was analyzed. Results: In Group 1, five pseudolesions were visible and hyperintense on T1 -weighted images. On T2-weighted images, four were visible and hypointense. In Group 2, 11 were seen (4.4%). All were hyperintense on T1-weighted imag es. Five were hypointense on T2-weighted images. In Group 3, one pseudolesi on was seen (0.4%). Conclusion: The prevalence of pseudolesion in segment IV on MRI is higher i n liver cirrhosis than in normal liver. The lesion is hyperintense on T1-we ighted images when visible.