Recent development of diagnostic imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Various imaging examinations, such as ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have played important roles in the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent advances in US include contrast-enhanced examinations, fusion imaging, and elastography. For CT various radiation reduction techniques as well as perfusion imaging and dual-energy examination techniques have been developed. For MRI, hepatocyte-specific contrast-enhanced imaging improved the accuracy of examinations by detection of smaller tumors and better characterization of equivocal lesions. Recent MRI developments also include diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion imaging, and MR elastography. Newer imaging techniques will increase the roles of imaging examinations in the evaluation of HCC. © Korean Medical Association.