Gelatin-Agar Liver Phantom to Simulate Typical Enhancement Patterns of Hepatocellular Carcinoma for MRI

Abstract

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The objective of this study is to detect the various stages of HCC through the utilization of a dynamic liver phantom with MRI. Methods: Three liver phantoms composed of different gelatin concentrations (2.5%wt, 4.0%wt, and 5.0%wt) and fixed agar concentrations were used. The HCC samples consisted of agarose and glycerol and were of varying sizes (0.5,1.0, and 2.0cm). The chemical, mechanical, electrical, and imaging properties of the phantoms were examined. The consistency of T1 and T2 signal intensities over a six-week period was studied. In addition, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was used to detect the HCC samples through the Dixon sequence. Results: The gelatin concentration of 5%wt was the most stable in regard to density, exhibited the lowest average compressive strength of 0.22MPa, and had the lowest electrical conductivity over the course of a six-week period. During this time, an increase in the T1 signal intensity was observed as the gelatin concentration in the sample increased. On the contrary, the least change in T1 and T2 was noted in the first sample with the 2.5% wt of gelatin. The HCC samples simulated the typical appearance of HCC, with the minimum sample size the body coil could detect being 1cm. Conclusion: Typical Enhancement patterns of HCC were simulated under MRI.