Cholangiocarcinoma MRI
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1];Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Suveenkrishna Pothuru, M.B,B.S. [2]
Overview
On MRI, cholangiocarcinoma is characterized by either isointense or hypointense relative to the normal liver on T1. Mildly to markedly hyperintense on T2. Moderate to incomplete enhancement is obseved on contrast MRI.
MRI
- MRI of cholangiocarcinoma may be used to:
- Determine the extent and stage of extrahepatic bile duct cancer.
- Observe if the cancer has spread to nearby organs or structures.
- On MRI, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is either isointense or hypointense relative to the normal liver on T1w MR images but may range from mildly to markedly hyperintense on T2w images.
- The signal intensity of the tumor is variable and depends on the amount of mucinous material, fibrous tissue, hemorrhage, and necrosis within the lesion.
- On dynamic study after injection of Gd-BOPTA or Gd-EOB-DTPA, minimal or moderate incomplete enhancement is observed at the periphery on early images, whereas progressive central contrast enhancement is seen on later images.
- Generally, on delayed phase images lesions show peripheral hypointensity and central iso- or hyperintensity due to central pooling of contrast medium within central desmoplastic reaction.
- Satellite nodules are seen in about 10-20% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cases and are chiefly responsible for the poor prognosis of this tumor.