Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Hepatic Oncology
Summary
Gadoxetic acid–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combines dynamic vascular-phase imaging with hepatocyte-specific contrast uptake, providing both morphologic and functional assessment of the liver. Following intravenous administration, gadoxetic acid is initially distributed through the vascular and extracellular compartments, enabling detection of arterial hyperenhancement and venous washout characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma. In a delayed hepatobiliary phase, healthy hepatocytes take up the contrast agent via organic anion-transporting polypeptides, rendering malignant or dysplastic tissue hypointense. This dual-phase capability enhances lesion detection and characterisation, particularly for small or atypical nodules, and informs staging, treatment planning and postoperative surveillance. Quantitative parameters derived from T1 relaxometry and signal‐intensity indices further allow noninvasive estimation of regional liver function, aiding preoperative risk assessment and monitoring of chronic liver disease progression.
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Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Hepatic Oncology publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in hepatic oncology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Arterial phase hyperenhancement: Early contrast uptake within a lesion during the arterial vascular phase indicating neovascularisation.
Hepatobiliary phase (HBP): Delayed imaging phase in which hepatocytes concentrate gadoxetic acid, causing normal parenchyma to appear hyperintense.
Organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP1B1/B3): Hepatocyte membrane transporters responsible for uptake of gadoxetic acid.
T1 relaxometry: Quantitative measurement of T1 relaxation times pre- and post-contrast to derive functional uptake indices.
Restricted diffusion: Diffusion-weighted imaging finding of limited water motion, often marking increased cellular density in malignant lesions.
Dysplastic nodule: Premalignant hepatic lesion exhibiting atypical cellular features and variable contrast behaviour on hepatobiliary imaging.
References
- Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for evaluation of liver function: Comparison between signal-intensity-based indices and T1 relaxometry. Scientific Reports (2017).
- Consensus report from the 8th International Forum for Liver Magnetic Resonance Imaging. European Radiology (2019).
- Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation of Hepatobiliary Phase Hypointense Nodules without Arterial Phase Hyperenhancement at Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced MRI: A Multicenter Study.. Radiology (2020).
- Quantification of liver function using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Abdominal Radiology (2020).
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