INTRAHEPATIC CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA - SPIN-ECHO AND CONTRAST-ENHANCED DYNAMIC MR-IMAGING

OBJECTIVE. Our purpose was to identify the conventional spin-echo and contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging features of intrahepatic cholangi ocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Eight patients with pathologically proved intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma were examined with conventional spin-echo and contrast-enhanced dynamic MR imaging with a 1.5-T super conductive unit. The results were analyzed to include the signal inten sity of the mass relative to liver parenchyma on conventional spin-ech o images and the pattern and degree of enhancement on dynamic MR image s. RESULTS. The characteristic appearance of intrahepatic cholangiocar cinoma was a large mass with an irregular margin, satellite nodules, a nd a central scar. Tumors were hypointense relative to liver parenchym a on T1-weighted spin-echo images and hyperintense on T2-weighted spin -echo images. On dynamic MR studies, tumors characteristically had min imal or moderate rim enhancement with progressive and concentric filli ng with contrast material. CONCLUSION. Our study suggests that intrahe patic cholangiocarcinoma has a typical pattern on contrast-enhanced dy namic MR images.