Hepatocellular carcinoma: MRI and CT examination

Hepatocellular carcinoma will continue to be one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Improved survival occurs following resection or liver transplantation. The appropriate preoperative stratification and staging of these patients is essential. CT and MRI will undoubtedly continue to play a major role in the detection and diagnosis of HCC. These imaging techniques should be optimized for the evaluation of suspected HCC. The radiology report from the CT or MRI examination should include a comprehensive review of key diagnostic information for appropriate staging. This includes lesion size and number. Also to be noted are segmental and vascular involvement, regional and distant adenopathy as well as metastases, and finally, the presence of ascites, varices and cirrhosis.