Evaluation of Low-field MR Imaging in the Diagnosis of Larger Cirrhotic Nodules

Objective To evaluate low field MRI in the diagnosis of larger cirrhotic nodules (LCN).Materials and Methods SE T 1WI and FSE T 2WI sequences with a 0.2T MR unit were performed in 27 patients with LCN, including 22 men and 5 women, aged 1～70 years (mean 51). The diagnosis was pathologically proved in 16 and clinically proved in 5 cases.Results On T 1WI, slight high signal intensity was seen in 22 cases, while iso intensity in 4 and slight low intensity in 1. On T 2WI, slight low signal intensity was seen in 16 cases, while iso intensity in 11 and heterogeneous intensity in 1. Fibrous septum was displayed on both T 1WI and T 2WI in 14 cases, on T 1WI only in 11 cases. Fibrous septum was not demonstrated in one case. No obvious changes in signal intensity was found during a following up period of 1～18 months in 6 cases.Conclusion MR imaging is of great clinical value in diagnosing and differentiating LCN.