Abbreviated MRI Using Gadoxetic Acid Versus Ultrasonography for Surveillance of Early-stage HCC in Patients at High Risk

The acquired images included B-mode images of the left hepatic lobe through transverse and longitudinal scans including images of the umbilical portion of the left portal vein, and images of the right hepatic lobe through subcostal and intercostal scans including images of the right hepatic dome, right portal vein, and right hepatic vein with additional images of the confluence of both portal vein and three hepatic veins. When a liver observation was seen, additional images were taken, and its diameter was measured on both transverse and longitudinal planes.

The study subjects receive intravenous injection of gadoxetic acid (0.025 mmol/kg, Primovist; Bayer, Berlin, Germany) in the waiting room and then proceed to the examination room for MRI testing 15-20 minutes later. The MRI examination is conducted using a 3T MRI machine, and the MRI protocol consists of T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging (b value of 0, 50, and 500 s/mm2), and hepatobiliary phase imaging.