Preoperative evaluation of gastric cancer: value of spiral CT during gastric arteriography (CTGA)

Background: To evaluate the utility of dual-phase spiral computed tomography during gastric arteriography (CTGA) in the preoperative staging of gastric cancers. Methods: We performed CTGA in 21 patients with pathologically proven gastric cancers. CTGA findings were prospectively analyzed and correlated with surgical and pathologic findings. Dual-phase scans were performed at 10 s (early) and 60–100 s (delayed) after injection of 120 mL of contrast medium at an injection rate of 6 mL/s through a preset 5-Fr catheter positioned in the celiac trunk. Spiral CT scans were assessed for enhancing pattern of the normal gastric wall, tumor detectability, and accuracy of tumor staging. Results: Normal gastric mucosa was clearly visible as two or three layers in all patients on early-phase scans and in eight patients on delayed-phase scans. The primary tumors were correctly detected with CTGA in seven (88%) of the eight early gastric cancers and in all 13 (100%) advanced gastric cancers. The accuracy of CTGA for T staging was 50% and 77% in early and advanced gastric cancers, respectively. The overall accuracy for tumor detection and T staging was 95% and 67%, respectively. The accuracy of CTGA for the degree of serosal invasion and regional lymph node metastasis was 77% and 76%, respectively. Conclusion: The CTGA technique improved tumor detection rate and accuracy of tumor staging, especially in early gastric cancer, and may be very useful in the preoperative staging of gastric cancer. Received: 31 August 2000/Accepted: 20 September 2000     

Heterotopic pancreas of the stomach: CT findings correlated with pathologic findings in six patients

Background: The purpose of this study was to characterize the computed tomographic (CT) findings of heterotopic pancreas of the stomach. Methods: CT scans of six surgically proven cases of heterotopic pancreas of the stomach were reviewed. Three were dynamic spiral CT scans, with both arterial dominant and late phase scans. In other three, both unenhanced and contrast-enhanced scans were obtained by using conventional techniques. Particular attention was given to the enhancement of the heterotopic pancreas. Pathologic and surgical findings were correlated with CT findings. Results: The locations were in the gastric antrum in five cases and in the mid-body in one. Size ranged from 1 cm to 3 cm (mean = 2.1 cm). Three cases showed homogeneous, strong enhancement similar to the pancreas and consisted mainly of pancreatic acini with the same histologic features as the normal pancreas. Two cases showed poor enhancement and consisted mainly of ducts and hypertrophied muscle; pancreatic acini were a minor component. In one case appearing as a cystic lesion on CT, a pseudocyst was found with many ducts and some nests of pancreatic acini. Conclusions: Heterotopic pancreas of the stomach showed a diverse spectrum of CT findings. Good understanding of these CT findings may be helpful in making a correct diagnosis. Received: 24 March 1999/Accepted: 19 May 1999     

Computed tomography in the preoperative evaluation of gastric carcinoma

Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was done in 49 patients with gastric carcinoma. These cases were retrospectively staged and evaluated as to operability. Various staging parameters were also evaluated separately. The results were correlated to findings on surgery, liver scan, and cytology. Overall accuracy of CT staging and operability assessment was 72 and 82%, respectively. Among the various CT parameters, perigastric fat invasion had a positive predictive value of 91%. The demonstration of local node involvement and invasion of adjacent organs was unreliable. Since surgery is currently the only treatment for gastric carcinoma, CT staging has limited clinical value. The principal role of CT is in the assessment of operability in patients with carcinoma of the stomach.     

TNM staging of gastrointestinal tumors by hydrosonography: results of a histopathologically controlled study in 60 patients

Background: The study is a prospective evaluation of preoperative TNM staging of gastrointestinal tumors by hydrosonography (HUS). Methods: Sixty patients with suspected gastric or colorectal cancer underwent HUS for TNM staging. All patients were operated on and the tumors completely removed when possible. HUS findings were correlated with histopathologic staging. Results: HUS correctly localized tumors in 75% of patients. T stage accuracy was low for gastric cancers (41%). N staging of gastric cancers was accurate in 68% of all cases and was highly specific (100%). Staging was more accurate for colorectal tumors (70%), especially with respect to infiltration of other structures (sensitivity 100%, specificity 95%). N staging, however, was not reliable, mostly owing to impaired examination conditions. Conclusion: HUS easily misses tumors of the gastric cardia and distal part of the rectum. T staging of colorectal tumors with HUS is highly accurate, reaching 92% if the tumor is localized. T1 cancers of the stomach tend to be overstaged, and serosal infiltration by gastric cancers is often misjudged. With the exception of cardial gastric and distal rectal cancers, HUS comes close to endosonography for staging gastrointestinal tumors. HUS does not require intraluminal access. Received: 9 May 1995/Accepted after revision: 15 August 1995     

MR imaging of advanced gastric cancer: comparison of various MR pulse sequences using water and gadopentetate dimeglumine as oral contrast agents

Background: To evaluate clinical usefulness of oral contrast agents (gadopentetate dimeglumine and water) and to assess proper magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluating advanced gastric cancer (AGC) by comparing different MR imaging techniques. Methods: Fifteen patients with AGC were imaged with a 1.0-T MR imager and body-array coil. All patients underwent surgery or laparascopic biopsy. Fast low-angle shot (FLASH), half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE), and true fast imaging with steady-state precession time (FISP) images were obtained after ingestion of 900 mL tap water in each patient, followed by postcontrast FLASH images after additional ingestion of gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA). Qualitative analysis including T-staging of AGC and scoring of imaging quality and quantitative analysis were performed prospectively. Results: In image quality and diagnostic accuracy of T-staging, FLASH imaging showed results slightly superior to those of other imaging modalities, and there was no great difference between using water and Gd-DTPA as an oral contrast agent. As for cancer-to-gastric lumen contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), HASTE and true FISP imaging were superior to FLASH imaging with Gd-DTPA (p < 0.0001). In cancer-to-pancreas CNR, FLASH imaging without Gd-DTPA showed the best result. Conclusions: The use of Gd-DTPA as a positive contrast agent may not be imperative, and T1-weighted FLASH imaging in combination with true FISP imaging with ingestion of tap water can be very useful in evaluating AGC with MR imaging. Received: 29 October 1998/Revision accepted: 27 January 1999     

贲门癌MDCTT分期与病理对照

目的评价MDCT对贲门癌T分期的意义。方法参照AJCC 2010胃癌分期标准,对65例贲门癌患者通过术前MDCT影像行T分期,对CT显示不同层状结构病例,分别分析CT T分期与病理T分期的差异、病变胃壁厚度与T分期的相关性;以手术病理分期为金标准,计算MDCT对贲门癌T分期诊断的敏感度与准确率。结果 CT显示胃壁三层结构32例(32/65,49.23%),二层结构19例(19/65,29.23%),未显示分层14例(14/65,21.54%)。CT显示三层结构、二层结构及未显示分层者的T分期准确率分别为87.50%(28/32),73.68%(14/19),78.57%(11/14)。贲门癌病变胃壁厚8～41mm,平均23.4mm,以20mm为阈值,厚度≥20mm的病变86.67%(39/45)侵犯浆膜。结论 CT显示胃壁层次不同可用于贲门癌的分期诊断;MDCT对贲门癌的术前T分期与病理结果的一致性较好。     

0.5T磁共振动态增强对进展期胃癌术前TNM分期的评价

目的观察胃癌的动态增强MRI表现,评价动态增强MRI对进展期胃癌术前TNM分期的价值。方法对35例经胃镜证实的进展期胃癌患者进行前瞻性0.5T磁共振动态增强研究。观察胃癌的动态增强MRI表现,对胃癌浸润范围、深度、淋巴结转移以及远处转移情况进行术前评价,并与术后病理对照。结果胃癌动态增强表现为两种形式:不规则强化型(24例)和分层强化型(11例)。33例胃癌强化峰值时间为53~107s。动态增强MRI对胃癌T分期准确性为82.9%(29/35),对浆膜层侵犯的敏感性和特异性分别为96.3%(26/27)和75.0%(6/8);对N分期准确性为53.3%(16/30),低估36.7%(11/30),高估10.0%(3/30),淋巴结有无转移的敏感性和特异性分别为63.6%(14/22)和62.5%(5/8);对M分期准确性为100%(7/7)。结论磁共振动态增强对评价进展期胃癌TNM分期有重要价值。     

Staging of gastric cancer with 16-channel MDCT

Early detection and accurate preoperative staging of gastric cancer are clinically important because the prognosis and choice of an optimal therapeutic approach are directly related to the stage of a neoplasm at time of presentation. Multidetector row computed tomography is a potentially powerful tool for noninvasive gastric evaluation. When thin collimation is used, near-isotropic imaging of the stomach is possible. Proper air distention of the stomach is used with virtual gastroscopic images; the technique is able to evaluate endoluminal lesions of the stomach and assist in early detection of gastric cancer. Adequate water-filled dynamic multiplanar reformatted images allow the radiologist to choose the optimal imaging plane to accurately evaluate depth of tumor invasion of the gastric wall and perigastric fat plane infiltration, identify a thin fat plane between a tumor and adjacent organs, avoid partial volume averaging effects, and better differentiate lymph nodes from small perigaskric vessels. Thus, the combination of air distention and hydrodistention of the stomach and dynamic contrast-enhanced multidetector row computed tomography with near-isotropic imaging offer improved diagnosis and staging of gastric cancers.     

64层螺旋CT血管成像及融合技术评价胃周静脉

目的探讨64层螺旋CTA及融合技术对胃周静脉的显示能力和临床应用价值。方法对53例患者行腹部64层螺旋CT扫描。采用VR技术分别重建胃周静脉、动脉和胃,并将其融合,观察胃周静脉的汇入点、走行及其与胃周动脉、胃的空间关系。将26例接受手术治疗患者的术前CTA资料与术中所见进行对比,评价64层螺旋CTA显示胃周静脉的准确率、敏感度及特异度。结果胃网膜右静脉的显示率为100%(53/53),胃左静脉为90.57%(48/53),胃右静脉为73.58%(39/53)、胃后静脉为50.94%(27/53)、胃短静脉为94.34%(50/53)、胃网膜左静脉为92.45%(49/53)及胃结肠干为71.70%(38/53);术前CTA预测胃周静脉的准确率为92.31%～100%、敏感度为90.91%～100%,特异度为100%。结论 64层螺旋CTA可清晰显示胃周静脉,采用融合技术能将胃周静脉、胃周动脉及胃相融合,显示活体胃及胃周血管解剖空间结构。     

胃癌螺旋CT征象与手术病理的相关性研究

目的探讨螺旋CT各种征象(包括病灶厚度、大小、强化特点、浸润深度、淋巴结转移和TNM分期)与手术病理之间的关系。方法本组对57例胃癌行低张水充盈螺旋CT三期增强扫描,并与手术病理对照。结果螺旋CT表现病灶厚度、大小与手术病理的浆膜侵犯、淋巴结转移和TNM分期均相关(P<0.05);螺旋CT的强化特点与手术病理的淋巴结转移相关(P<0.05),与浆膜侵犯及TNM分期不相关。螺旋CT对胃癌浸润深度、淋巴结转移和远处转移的准确性分别为82.46%、78.95%和100%,均与手术病理一致(P<0.05)。结论胃癌螺旋CT征象与手术病理之间具有相关性,可依据其影像表现特点推测出胃癌的病理学特性,从而指导手术及判断预后。     

双源双能CT个性化扫描评估胃癌术前分期

目的 探讨个性化调节双源双能CT（DSDECT）扫描对胃癌术前分期的价值。方法 收集经胃镜证实的60例胃癌患者,术前对30例采用常规方式（注射对比后40s及70s扫描,常规组）、30例采用小剂量团注测试（testbolus,TB）方法行增强CT扫描（TB组）。对TB组图像进行MIP和VR重建,观察胃周主要血管显示率及变异情况。将两组术前CT诊断结果分别与术后病理结果进行对照,比较二者对胃癌术前分期的准确性。随机选取30例于16排CT（16排CT组）和27例于64排CT（64排CT组）接受腹部双期增强扫描,比较TB组、16排组及64排CT组的容积CT剂量指数（CTDIvol）。结果 常规组术前T分期准确率为66.67%（20/30）,N分期准确率为76.67%（23/30）;TB组T分期准确率为63.33%（19/30）,N分期准确率为70.00%（21/30）,两组术前T分期、N分期准确率差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。TB组中,胃左动脉、胃网膜左动脉、胃网膜右动脉显示率均为100%（30/30）,胃右动脉显示率为80.00%（24/30）,腹腔干及其主要分支血管变异率为13.33%（4/30）。TB组辐射剂量低于16排组及64排CT组（P均<0.001）。结论 采用TB技术行腹部CT扫描对胃癌术前分期具有较高准确率,并可清晰显示胃周血管。DSDECT具有低辐射剂量的优势,二者联合应用对胃癌术前分期具有较高价值。     

低张水充盈法16层螺旋CT对胃癌术前分期的诊断价值

目的：对经胃镜确诊为胃癌的病人,应用多层螺旋CT（Multi-slice computed tomography,MSCT）动态增强扫描检查后,行术前TNM分期,并与术后病理结果进行对照.分析胃癌的影像学征象,探讨MSCT在胃癌检出及术前TNM分期中的应用价值.方法：对本院2010年1月-2013年6月经胃镜及病理检查确诊为胃癌的患者152例,于术前1周内行MSCT检查.胃癌患者空腹于扫描前10～15 min肌注盐酸山莨菪碱20 mg、口服温开水800～1 000 mL后行MSCT扫描,根据病理提供的病变部位调整扫描体位.利用轴位和重建图像观察癌肿在胃壁内外浸润改变（T分期）、周围腹腔淋巴结有无转移（N分期）、周围脏器侵犯转移（M分期）.结果：CT表现为胃壁增厚、软组织肿块152例,病灶检出率为94％,T分期准确率为74.5％,N分期准确率为63.7％,M分期准确率为83.3％.结论：低张水充盈法MSCT动态增强扫描,能提高胃癌术前TNM分期的准确性,是有效判断局部浸润及远处转移的可靠的影像学检查方法.     

Small hepatocellular carcinoma: differentiation from adenomatous hyperplasia with color Doppler US and dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging

Background: To investigate the usefulness of color Doppler ultrasound (US) and dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the differentiation of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adenomatous hyperplasia (AH). Methods: Thirty-eight small (3 cm or less) nodular lesions (in 38 cirrhotic patients) with US features consistent with HCC underwent evaluation with color Doppler US and MR imaging. Breath-hold T1-weighted rapid acquisition spin echo MR sequence after bolus injection of 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine was used to evaluate dynamic enhancement. US-guided tissue-core percutaneous biopsy established the diagnosis: HCC in 28 cases and AH in 10. Results: Color signals with pulsatile or continuous Doppler spectrum were demonstrated in 19 of 28 HCCs (68%) but in none of the AHs. Although there was considerable overlap in signal intensity between HCC and AH on both unenhanced T1- and T2-weighted images, early enhancement on breath-hold T1-weighted images obtained 40 s after starting contrast administration was observed in 22 of 28 HCCs (79%) but in none of the AHs. In 26 of 28 HCCs (93%), pulsatile or continuous flow at color Doppler US, early enhancement at dynamic MR imaging, or both were observed. Conclusion: Findings with color Doppler US and dynamic Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging enable a reliable distinction between small HCC and AH. Received: 8 August 1994/Accepted after revision: 27 January 1995     

原发性胃淋巴瘤多排螺旋CT表现

目的 探讨原发性胃淋巴瘤的CT表现特征.方法 回顾性分析经病理确诊的21例原发性胃淋巴瘤患者的CT表现,观察病变部位、范围、胃壁厚度、强化程度、胃腔、黏膜及浆膜改变特征、胃周淋巴结及其他器官侵犯特点.结果 本组21例原发性胃淋巴瘤患者均为非霍奇金淋巴瘤;19例为多发病灶,2例为单发病灶.CT表现为胃壁不均匀增厚(8 ～62 mm),其中弥漫性增厚10例,节段性增厚9例,局限性增厚2例;19例呈均匀强化,2例内见片状低密度坏死;12例胃壁黏膜线完整,9例黏膜破坏;胃壁浆膜面模糊2例,浆膜面清晰19例;12例胃腔无明显狭窄;6例胃周淋巴结肿大,未发现肝脏侵犯.结论 原发性胃淋巴瘤的CT表现具有一定的特征性;多排螺旋CT对诊断和鉴别诊断具有重要临床意义.     

Focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver: detection and characterization with plain and dynamic-enhanced MRI

Background: We compared nonenhanced and dynamic gadolinium (Gd)–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearances of hepatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) as depicted with breath-hold MR sequences and assessed the detectability of the individual MR sequences used. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 48 consecutive patients with FNH. All patients underwent nonenhanced (T1 fast low-angle shot [FLASH] and T2 half-Fourier acquisition [HASTE]) and dynamic Gd-enhanced (T1 FLASH) MRI between December 1997 and March 2000. Individual MR sequences were analyzed separately for number of lesions, signal intensity features, dynamic enhancement pattern, and the presence and enhancement profile of a central scar. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals of absolute discrepancy were calculated to define differences in lesion detection. Results: Seventy-seven lesions were found in 48 patients. Nonenhanced FLASH imaging depicted 59 (76.6%) lesions in 45 patients. HASTE images showed 55 (71.4%) lesions in 44 patients. On T1- and T2-weighted images, lesions appeared predominantly hypointense (69.5%) and hyperintense (72.7%), respectively. Arterial and portal venous dominant phase Gd-enhanced MRI demonstrated all 77 lesions (100%), most of which showed hypervascular (94.8%), homogeneous (97.4%), and incomplete (except the central scar: 58.4%) enhancement in the arterial phase. Portal venous phase images showed lesion isointensity (50.6%) or moderate hyperintensity (46.8%) with complete enhancement (central scar: 94.8%). A central scar was detected on nonenhanced T1-weighted images (hypointense: 100%), T2-weighted images (hyperintense: 100%), arterial phase (hypointense: 59.7%) and portal venous phase (hyperintense: 71.4%) Gd-enhanced images in 78%, 69.1%, 77.9%, and 75.3% of tumors, respectively. Conclusion: Arterial and portal venous phase Gd-enhanced T1-weighted sequences are superior to nonenhanced images in the detection of FNH. Typical MRI appearances include hypointensity on T1-weighted and hyperintensity on nonenhanced T2-weighted images. Most commonly, FNH shows a homogeneous (without scar) and strong enhancement during the arterial phase, with lesion isointensity or slight hyperintensity during the portal venous phase. Received: 15 May 2001/Revision accepted: 22 August 2001     

MSCT对胃黏液腺癌及非黏液腺癌的鉴别诊断及相应胃周淋巴转移评估

目的探讨黏液胃癌(MGC)及非黏液胃癌(NGC)的CT影像特征及相应胃周淋巴结大小与转移的关系。方法回顾性分析经手术病理证实的42例黏液性胃癌CT资料,同时将从550例非黏液性胃癌中按年龄、性别配对的42例作为对照组,分析其病变的病灶大小,强化形式(分层/不分层)、强化程度(明显/不明显)及增厚的胃壁层,另外分析相应两组淋巴结大小及阳性转移率的异同,采用χ2检验,P<0.05表示差异有显著性。结果两组肿瘤原发位置及平均肿瘤大小,MGC与NGC无明显差异,90%的胃黏液腺癌病例胃壁明显增厚,主要表现为胃壁中层低密度,而非黏液腺癌胃壁增厚者占69%,主要为较高密度的内层或全胃壁增强扫描黏液癌增厚;黏液性胃癌最多见的强化形式是分层强(86%),90%的病例强化不明显;非黏液性胃癌为单层均匀强化(76%),62%的病例强化明显;黏液样胃癌淋巴结检出数量及阳性转移瘤均较非黏液样胃癌高,分别是268个,56%及142个,39%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。1～5mm、6～9mm大小淋巴结率MGC与NGC两组分别33%、57%与22%、33%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。≥10mm组淋巴检出率及阳性转移率MGC较NGC略高,差异无统计学意义。结论 MSCT能够准确地观察肿瘤增厚的胃壁层、强化形式及强化程度,有助于鉴别黏液性及非黏液性胃癌;黏液胃癌较非黏液胃癌淋巴结更容易淋巴转移,尤其对于术前诊断趋向MGC的病变,胃周淋巴结观察要仔细,不能忽略<10mm的淋巴结转移率。     

Gastric cancer: Imaging and staging with MDCT based on the 7th AJCC guidelines

Gastric cancer is a common deadly cancer worldwide. The tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system is one of the most commonly used staging systems, and is accepted and maintained by the International Union against Cancer (UICC) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The TNM system is well known to effectively predict the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The latest revision of TNM staging was presented in the 7th edition of the AJCC in 2009. Multi-detector row CT (MDCT) is a powerful test for non-invasive evaluation and can assess metastatic and locoregional staging simultaneously. Current MDCT with isotropic imaging and 3D images has increased the accuracy of T and N staging in patients with gastric cancer. Multi-planar reformatted images permit the radiologist to select the optimal imaging plane to accurately evaluate tumor invasion depth of the gastric wall and perigastric infiltration to identify a fat plane between a tumor and adjacent organs, to avoid partial volume averaging effects, and to differentiate lymph nodes from small perigastric vessels. Thus, MDCT provides a useful all-in-one diagnostic method for the pre-operative evaluation of patients with known, or strongly suspected, gastric cancer according to the 7th AJCC TNM staging system.     

胃癌T分期多排CT增强扫描强化特点分析

目的：分析多排螺旋CT（MDCT）在胃癌T分期中CT增强扫描的强化特点。方法：37例胃癌患者术前MDCT平扫后双期增强扫描，并对胃及其周围组织进行重建分析，结合原始图片分析T分期强化特点，并与术后病理相对照。结果：静脉期的强化平均范围要大于动脉期，其中T1期病变表现为动静脉期均轻度强化，强化的范围相同。T2期以动脉期轻度强化，静脉期明显强化为主，且静脉期强化的范围更大。T3期动脉期轻度强化，静脉期明显强化较多，强化范围两者相同。T4期以动脉期显著强化，静脉期进一步强化为主。结论：对MDCT动态双期增强扫描胃壁强化方式的探讨有助于术前T分期，是一种值得推广的方法。     

Gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma: CT findings

Background In this study, we evaluated the CT findings of patients with hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Methods The CT scans of eight patients (seven males and one female; age range 44–70 years; mean age 59 years) with histologically proven hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists in consensus. Scans were evaluated for gastric wall thickening, involved site enhancement, adjacent organ invasion, lymphadenopathy, distant metastases, and venous tumor thrombosis. Results Tumors appeared as eccentric wall thickening (n = 8) and heterogeneous enhancement (n = 7). Adjacent organ invasions were noted to liver (n = 3), pancreas (n = 2), and esophagus (n = 1). All eight patients had a regional lymphadenopathy larger than 8 mm in its short axis. Distant metastases (liver, n = 4; non-regional lymph node, n = 1) were also noted. Venous tumor thrombosis was identified in the portal vein (n = 3), splenic vein (n = 1), main portal vein (n = 1), or right gastroepiploic vein (n = 1) in the regions near primary gastric tumors or metastatic masses. Conclusion On CT scans, hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach appears as an eccentric gastric wall thickening and shows a strong tendency for liver and lymph node metastasis and venous invasion around the primary gastric tumor or a metastatic hepatic mass.     

Plain and gadolinium-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization

Background: To assess unenhanced and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods: Thirty-two patients with 48 HCC lesions underwent MR imaging before and 15 days after TACE. Fifteen lesions were then surgically resected. The remaining 33 lesions were not removed and were followed up with MR imaging at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment. Spin echo (SE) T1- and T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced SE T1-weighted sequences were employed. Qualitative evaluation of signal intensity pattern of the treated lesions was performed in all cases. Histological evaluation and selective hepatic arteriography were considered the gold standard of the study for the 15 resected lesions and the 33 unresected lesions, respectively. Results: On follow-up enhanced T1-weighted images of the 15 resected lesions, seven showed no area of enhancement corresponding to complete necrosis at histologic examination. The remaining eight resected lesions showed areas of enhancement; in six of these cases, viable tumor tissue was found at histology; in the other two lesions, histologic examination revealed the presence of complete tumor necrosis. In the group of resected lesions, T2-weighted images showed no pattern characteristic of necrosis. In 24 of 33 unresected lesions, loss of enhancement on follow-up enhanced T1-weighted images was a characteristic finding, which correlated to devascularization at arteriography. Of these 24 lesions, 17 were completely hypointense on follow-up T2-weighted images; the remaining seven showed small foci of hyperintensity. The other nine unresected lesions showed enhanced portions on follow-up enhanced T1-weighted images, which corresponded to hyperintense areas on T2-weighted images. These findings correlated to persistence of hypervascular areas at arteriography. Conclusion: Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging is a reliable method for evaluating the outcome of TACE treatment and is more accurate than unenhanced T2-weighted MR imaging. Received: 2 June 1995/Accepted: 18 July 1995