ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM) in evaluating microvessel density (MVD) and microvascular invasion (MVI) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsRat models were established to be scanned by IVIM. HCC lesions corresponding to IVIM image were examined pathologically to get data of MVD and MVI. Spearman correlation analysis was used to compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), D, D*, and f with MVD, independent samples t test was used to compare ADC, D, D*, and f between MVI (+) and MVI (–) groups.ResultsFifty HCC lesions were included finally. ADC and D values both showed a negative correlation with MVD (r=–0.406, P=0.003; r=–0.468, P=0.001), D* and f showed no statistical correlation with MVD (P=0.172, 0.074, respectively). The differences in ADC and all the IVIM parameters (D, D*, and f) between MVI (+) and MVI (–) HCCs were not statistically significant (P=0.393, 0.395, 0.221, 0.550).ConclusionADC and D can be used to evaluate MVD of HCC, but ADC and IVIM parameters were limited in evaluating MVI.