Chondroitin sulfate iron colloid-enhanced MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma

We applied chondroitin sulfate iron colloid (CSIC) as an MR contrast agent to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The MR and pathologic findings of 25 HCCs in 21 patients were analyzed. MR imaging was performed with a superconducting system operating at 1.5 T. Proton density-weighted (PDW), T2-weighted (T2W) and T1-weighted (T1W) images were obtained before and after an intravenous injection of 23.6 μmol Fe/kg of CSIC. In moderately to poorly differentiated and moderately differentiated HCCs (n=15), all the lesions except a 5-mm satellite nodule were detectable with unenhanced T2W images as well as CSIC-enhanced PDW, T2W and T1W images. In well to moderately differentiated HCCs (n=6), two to four lesions were detectable with unenhanced images. All the lesions except a 3-mm satellite nodule were detectable with CSIC-enhanced PDW, T2W and T1W images. In well differentiated HCCs (n=4), one or two lesions were detectable with unenhanced images. All the lesions were detectable with CSIC-enhanced T1W images, while only two lesions were detectable with CSIC-enhanced PDW or T2W images. CSIC administration improves detection rates, and is especially useful in detecting small foci of well to moderately or well differentiated HCC. (author)