Perfusion study of liver lesions with superparamagnetic iron oxide: distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma from focal nodular hyperplasia.

We performed a perfusion study with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and evaluated the possibility of acquiring hemodynamic imaging in hypervascular hepatocellular nodules. Single-slice computed tomography during arteriography (SCTA) and an SPIO perfusion study were performed and compared. The findings of the direction of blood flow in the lesion and the findings corresponding to the corona enhancement on the SPIO perfusion study agreed well with the findings of SCTA. In conclusion, SPIO perfusion is useful in evaluating the hemodynamics of hypervascular hepatocellular nodules.