Computed Diffusion Weighted Imaging of the Liver Using Extrapolation Technique in Patients Who Underwent Liver Transplantation With Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Initial Experience and Feasibility Study.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and image quality of computed diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Twenty-four patients who underwent liver transplantation with HCC were enrolled. Computed DWI was synthesized for b-values of 800 (cDWI800) and 1200 s/mm (cDWI1200) using directly acquired DWI with b-values of 0, 50, and 500 s/mm. Signal intensity of HCC, background liver, and contrast-to-noise ratio were evaluated for directly acquired DWI of 800 s/mm (dDWI800), cDWI800, and cDWI1200. Two radiologists evaluated the image quality for contrast between HCC and liver, suppression of background signal and T2 shine-through, and overall image quality. cDWI1200 showed the lowest contrast-to-noise ratio. Qualitative scores for background suppression and decreased T2 shine-through were highest for cDWI1200. However, contrast between HCC and background liver was worst in cDWI1200. In computed DWI of high b-values, contrast between HCC and background liver was very low.