Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to determine if the appearance of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) on state-of-the-art MRI including hepatocyte phase after administration of hepatobiliary contrast agent can facilitate preoperative diagnosis and identification of potential candidates for liver transplantation.
Material and Methods
The study group comprised 6 patients with pathologically confirmed HEHE. Analysis included signal characteristics of 55 tumor nodules (maximum of 10 lesions per patient) on T2-weighted images, dynamic contrast-enhanced, 5-minute delayed, and hepatobiliary phase images.
Results
The most common feature of HEHE, observed in 84% of lesions, was progressive contrast-enhancement, followed by subcapsular location (66%), confluent appearance (60%) and hyper- or isointensity on hepatobiliary phase images (53%). In 5 of 6 patients, capsular retraction was observed.
Conclusions
The appearance of HEHE on hepatobiliary phase images was variable, but examined tumors often demonstrated hyper- or isointensity, most probably due to prolonged retention of contrast material. These features, along with typical morphology (subcapsular, confluent nodules, with progressive enhancement and capsular retraction), may contribute to correct diagnosis and recognition of potential candidates for liver transplantation.

Keywords: Liver Neoplasms, Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, MR imaging, ADC value, hepatobiliary contrast agents, liver transplantation