J Korean Radiol Soc.  1994 Feb;30(2):313-317.

Ring Lesions in MR Imaging of the Liver

• Kim SH
• Kim EH
• Kim YJ
• Chung CP

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to find some points that may help the differential diagnosis of ring lesions in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the liver through recognition of the characteristics of the morphology and the signal intensities of the ring lesions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
T1- and T2-weighted axial spin-echo images and gadolinium-enhanced Tl-weighted images were obtained with a 1.0 T superconducting MR imager. We reviewed the MR findings of 23 hepatic ring lesions which were confirmed as hepatocellular carcinomas (13), metastases (4), liver abscesses (4), hydatid cyst (1), and hematoma (1).
RESULTS
There were 19 single rings and 4 double rings (all the cases were liver abscesses) on Tl-weighted images, and 8 single rings and 14 double rings on T2-weighted images. The signal intensity of the ring was low in hepatocellular carcinoma on Tl-weighted images and in hydatid cyst on T2-weighted images. It was high on Tl-weighted images in subacute hemaroma. Target lesion as an inner high-signal-intensity ring surrounded by a high-signal-intensity ring on T2-weighted images was seen in metatasis, liver abscess, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
CONCLUSION
It is helpful to recognize the chracteristics of morphology and signal intensities of the ring lesions in the differential diagnosis of hepatic focal lesions.

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
Diagnosis, Differential
Echinococcosis
Hematoma
Liver Abscess
Liver*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Neoplasm Metastasis