In patients at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), such as those with chronic hepatitis
or cirrhosis, the confirmative diagnosis of HCC can be made solely from characteristic imaging
findings on contrast-enhanced CT or MR scans. However, in daily practice, HCCs showing atypical
imaging features are frequently encountered. Since the criteria for diagnosis of HCC is based
on dynamic contrast enhancement patterns, it is essential to thoroughly understand these patterns.
In this article, we aim to use gadoxetate-enhanced MRI to comprehensively review the
HCC enhancement patterns and the associated histopathologic findings with their prognostic
factors.