Hepatocellular carcinoma – imaging methods and imaging guided therapy

Abstract

The imaging modality choice depends on the clinical question in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); when HCC is suspected, then ultrasound serves as imaging at the first line, followed by computed tomography. When specialized differential diagnosis or biological behaviour of HCC is a clinical issue, magnetic resonance imaging with a use of hepatospecific contrast agent or hybrid imaging using positron emission tomography and computed tomography or positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging with the application of18F-fluorodeo-xglucose or18F-fluorocholine are exploited. In the therapy of HCC, it is possible to use locally destructive methods of interventional radiology, especially radiofrequency ablation or transar-terial chemoembolization, or radioembolization, as the case may be.