Jie Deng1,2, Ning Jin1, Guang-yu Yang3, Reed A. Omary1,4, Andrew C. Larson1,4
1Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; 2Department of Medical Imaging, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA; 3Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; 4Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center , Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
Development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) involves a multi-step carcinogenesis beginning with a benign regenerative nodule, progressing to a premalignant dysplastic nodule and overt HCC. Multi-dimensional quantitative MRI combining T2, M0 and ADC measurements can provide increased parameterization for accurate tumor tissue characterization. However, implementation of multi-dimensional quantitative methods for abdominal tumors is challenging. A combined PROPELLER acquisition approach providing both T2 and diffusion-weighted (DW) measurements could provide inherently co-registered functional maps. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a quantitative multi-dimensional PROPELLER MRI approach for the characterization of the hepatic nodules during hepatocarcinogenesis in the diethylnitrosamine rat model.