• Jiansong Ji, Hongyuan Yang, Zufei Wang, Chenying Lu, and Junguo Hui.
• Department of Rdiology, Lishui Central Hospital, Lishui 323000, China. Email: jjstcty@sina.com.
• Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2014 Feb 11; 94 (5): 368-71.

ObjectiveTo explore the surveillance and diagnostic values of ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-ups in malignant transformation of cirrhotic nodules so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy of early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with liver cirrhosis.MethodsRetrospective analyses were conducted for US, CT and MRI features of 96 HCC patients confirmed by pathological examination or treatment.ResultsAll patients (145 lesions) underwent US, CT, MRI examinations during follow-ups.US detected 62 lesions (42.6%) and 90 lesions on enhanced CT (62.1%) presented "fast-in fast-out" enhancement, pseudocapsule, progressive enlargement or increasing numbers in a short time. And 138 nodules on MRI (95.2%) manifested as decreased T1WI signal, increased T2WI and DWI signal, "nodule in nodule" on T2WI, fatty degeneration, change of enhancement patterns, pseudocapsule, progressive enlargement or increased number in a short time.ConclusionMRI offers obvious advantages over CT and US (P < 0.05). US may serve as a routine follow-up mean for cirrhotic patients. Once lesions are found, enhanced CT and/or MRI should be performed for confirming a diagnosis. Cirrhotic patients without HCC should undergo MRI regularly to diagnose HCC earlier.

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