Background: To report the dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of hepatolithiasis.
Methods: Dynamic MR images (fast spoiled gradient echo sequence with intravenous injection of gadopentate dimeglumine) and computed tomography, cholangiography, or angiography of nine patients with hepatolithiasis are analyzed.
Results: All affected hepatic segments showed atrophic changes and contained dilated intrahepatic ducts. These segments showed either iso- or hypointensity on T1-weighted imaging and hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging. Preferential enhancement was noted throughout all phases of the dynamic study and persisted to delayed T1-weighted imaging in seven patients. In the last two patients, severe atrophic changes made evaluating signal intensity differences and enhancement patterns difficult.
Conclusion: In addition to intrahepatic stones and biliary dilatation, segmental atrophy, signal intensity differences, and preferential and persistent enhancement are important MR findings of hepatolithiasis.