Purpose: Demonstration of imaging techniques for the diagnosis and interventional follow up of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Material and methods: Examination strategies are presented using color coded duplex-sonography (US), computed tomography and magnetic resonance techniques like MRI, MR-angiography and MR-cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP).
Results: Color coded sonography reveals a sensitivity of 85-92% and a specificity of 78-90% for the detection of HCC. The diagnostic results of CT could be further improved via the newly developed techniques of multislice-CT. The highest diagnostic accuracy could be achieved via the use of contrast enhanced MRI with advantageous results for superparamagnetic contrast agents versus hepatobiliary and extracellular drugs.
Conclusion: Contrast enhanced MRI proves as the superior imaging technique for the early diagnosis, differential diagnosis and follow up of hepatocellular carcinoma.