[Value of MRI in the study of hepatocellular carcinoma. Preliminary study apropos of 12 cases].

The authors have tested different MR imaging sequences to detect hepatocellular carcinomas. The most performing is a spin-echo T2-weighted sequence with long TR (1800 or 2000 ms), and three echoes. The first echo, early at 40 ms, may allow an analysis of the vessels, later, at 80 and 120 ms, the two other echoes permit a better visualization of the tumor. With this type of sequence, the method's sensibility is excellent.