Abstract

According to AASLD practice guideline, nodules that are smaller than 1 cm should be followed with ultrasound at intervals from 3-6 months and nodules larger than 1 cm found on ultrasound screening of a cirrhotic liver should be investigated further with either 4-phase multidetector CT scan or dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. If the appearances are typical of HCC, the lesion should be treated as HCC. We experienced a patient who has a hepatic nodule smaller than 1 cm and followed AASLD guideline and performed radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellularcarcinoma after 13 months later. MRI helped to diagnose hepatic nodule as a hepatocellularcarcinoma during surveillance.

• Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma;Small HCC;MRI