Hepatocyte-specific Versus Extracellular Contrast Agents for Liver MRI: Prospective, Intra-individual Comparison of Diagnostic Performance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria

• •1. Older than 20 years
• •2. HBsAg (+) with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, anti-HCV (+) with cirrhosis, or cirrhosis of any etiology
• •* The presence of cirrhosis will be determined based on the histologic or radiologic findings, including liver surface nodularity, margin blunting, segmental hypertrophy/atrophy, and findings secondary to portal hypertension (i.e., splenomegaly, esophageal or gastric varices, ascites, or reverse portal vein flow).
• •3. Child-Pugh class A or B
• •4. Up to three suspicious focal lesions between 10 mm and 30 mm found on US, CT, or MRI
• •* Patients with a history of HCC treated by surgery or tumor ablation could be included, but only new nodules at a distance of \> 2 cm from previously treated lesions were considered.