Hyperintense cirrhotic nodules on MRI

Abstract

Descriptions of regenerating nodules of cirrhosis indicate that they are often isointense to liver parenchyma on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Regenerating nodules of cirrhosis can occasionally appear hypointense on all MRI sequences due to iron deposition within the nodules. We reviewed 21 cases of pathologically proven mixed or macronodular cirrhosis using MRI. In five patients, nodules appeared as hyperintense to liver parenchyma on short TR/TE images and were isointense on long TR/TE or GRASS images. In another five cases, nodules appeared hypointense on either long TR/TE or GRASS images, and corresponding hypointense nodules were observed on short TR/TE images in one of these patients. Our findings suggest that regenerating nodules of cirrhosis may have a more variable appearance on short TR/TE images.