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 cholangiocarcinoma.

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 superconductive unit. The results were analyzed to include the signal intensity of the mass relative to liver parenchyma on conventional spin-echo images and the pattern and degree of enhancement on dynamic MR images.

RESULTS: The characteristic appearance of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was a large mass with an irregular margin, satellite nodules, and a central scar. Tumors were hypointense relative to liver parenchyma on T1-weighted spin-echo images and hyperintense on T2-weighted spin-echo images. On dynamic MR studies, tumors characteristically had minimal or moderate rim enhancement with progressive and concentric filling with contrast material.

CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has a typical pattern on contrast-enhanced dynamic MR images.