钆塞酸二钠增强MRI特征对肝细胞癌微血管侵犯的预测价值

目的 探讨术前钆塞酸二钠增强MRI特征预测肝细胞癌（HCC）微血管侵犯（MVI）的价值。 方法 回顾性分析83例经手术病理确诊的HCC病人的术前影像及临床资料,其中男75例,女8例,平均（57.6±11.4）岁。所有病人均进行了MRI平扫和增强检查,分析其常规MRI征象和肝胆期征象。根据术后病理结果将病人分为MVI阳性组30例及MVI阴性组53例。采用t检验或χ²检验比较2组间临床和影像特征的差异,将差异有统计学意义的特征纳入多因素Logistic回归分析,获得独立危险因素后分别建立单独预测模型及联合预测模型,采用受试者操作特征曲线评估不同模型的预测效能,计算其曲线下面积（AUC）,并采用DeLong检验比较不同模型预测MVI的AUC。 结果 与MVI阴性组相比,MVI阳性组的肝胆期肿瘤最大径、瘤周晕征、肿瘤边缘分型中的单结节外突/多结节融合型占比均更高,肿瘤信号强度比值较低;常规MRI征象中包膜不完整性、瘤周强化的占比更高;AFP水平大于MVI阴性组（均P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示肝胆期的肿瘤最大径、瘤周晕征和单结节外突/多结节融合型均为HCC MVI的独立危险因素（OR值分别为1.424、26.998、6.144,均P<0.05）,肿瘤最大径越大、瘤周晕征阳性及单结节外突/多结节融合型表现的病人发生MVI的风险越高。联合预测模型、肿瘤最大径模型、单结节外突/多结节融合型模型和瘤周晕征模型预测MVI的AUC分别为0.926、0.803、0.792、0.823。联合模型预测MVI的敏感度、特异度和AUC值均最高,且AUC值分别高于肿瘤最大径模型、单结节外突/多结节融合型模型和瘤周晕征模型（均P<0.05）。 结论 钆塞酸二钠增强MRI上肿瘤最大径、单结节外突/多结节融合型和肝胆期瘤周晕征是预测MVI的独立危险因素,且三者联合预测效能更高。     

Changes in the signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios of hepatocellular carcinomas on gadoxetic acid-enhanced dynamic MR imaging

Objective

Our objective was to evaluate whether the enhancement pattern, measured by changes in the signal- (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs), of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI reflects tumor differentiation.

Subjects and methods

Two hundred eighty-five patients with 286 surgically-confirmed HCCs who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI were included (11 grade I, 267 grade II, 7 grade III, and 1 grade IV tumor). Unenhanced and dynamic images with a T1-weighted 3D turbo-field-echo sequence were obtained. Relative signal intensities of the tumors with respect to surrounding liver were evaluated and the SNRs and CNRs were calculated.

Results

SNR measurements demonstrated a fluctuating pattern (an increase in the SNR, followed by a decrease and a subsequent increase [or a decrease in the SNR followed by an increase and a subsequent decrease]) in 282 of 286 (98.6%) tumors. The SNR measurements also showed a single-peak SNR in the arterial phase (1.0% [3/286]) and 3 min delayed images (0.3% [1/286]) followed by a decrease in 4 (1.4% [4/286]) grade II tumors. Nearly all tumors (88.1% [252/286]), 9 (81.8% [9/11]) grade I, 236 (88.4% [236/267]) grade II, 6 (85.7% [6/7]) grade III, and 1 (100% [1/1]) grade IV tumor showed maximum absolute CNRs with negative values, which were most commonly found in 20 min delayed images (67.5% [170/252]). The remaining 34 of 286 (11.9%) tumors showed maximum absolute CNRs with positive values.

Conclusion

Regardless of the tumor grades, the most common manifestation was a SNR with a fluctuating pattern with time and maximum absolute CNRs with negative values, which were most commonly noted in the hepatobiliary phase.     

基于MRI影像组学评估肝细胞癌微血管侵犯的Meta分析

目的 通过Meta分析系统评价基于MRI影像组学术前评估肝细胞癌（HCC）微血管侵犯（MVI）的诊断效能。 方法 检索PubMed、Cochrane图书馆、EMBASE、Web of Science、中国知网和万方数据库,检索时间为自建库以来至2021年3月公开发表的有关MRI影像组学评估HCC MVI的临床研究的中英文文献。根据纳入和排除标准对文献进行筛选并提取数据。根据诊断准确性研究质量评价工具-2（QUADAS-2）评价纳入文献的质量,采用RevMan5.4评价偏倚风险及临床适用性。采用Stata15.1软件计算纳入研究的合并敏感度、合并特异度、合并阳性似然比、合并阴性似然比及合并诊断比值比。绘制森林图和总受试者操作特征（SROC）曲线,并计算曲线下面积（AUC）。采用不一致指数（I²）和Chochrane Q指数评估异质性,并采用阈值效应和敏感性分析探讨异质性来源。采用Stata15.1软件绘制漏斗图评估是否存在发表偏倚。 结果 共纳入10项研究,包括817例病人,纳入研究的合并敏感度、特异度、阳性似然比、阴性似然比、诊断比值比及AUC值分别为0.82（95%CI：0.76~0.87）、0.84（95%CI：0.77~0.89）、5.1（95%CI：3.4~7.7）、0.22（95%CI：0.16~0.29）、24（95%CI：13~44）和0.89（95%CI：0.86~0.91）。敏感度的I²为27.37%,特异度的I²为62.19%,纳入研究间异质性较大。Deek’s漏斗图显示不存在发表偏倚（P=0.83）。 结论 基于MRI影像组学术前预测HCC 的MVI有较高的准确性,可作为术前预测HCC MVI的一种无创性方法。     

Dynamic and delayed contrast enhancement in upper abdominal MRI studies: comparison of gadoxetic acid and gadobutrol

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively compare contrast properties of extracelullar (gadobutrol) and hepatospecific (gadoxetic acid) contrast agents in upper abdominal MRI studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standardized (0.1 ml/kg) dose of gadobutrol (56 subjects) and gadoxetic acid (51 subjects) was administered intravenously by MRI-compatible injector at 2 ml/s, followed by 20 ml saline flush. MR signal intensity changes (SIC) between precontrast scans and arterial phase, portal venous phase, equilibrium, and delayed scans at 10 and 20 min were measured in abdominal aorta, portal vein, common bile duct, liver, and spleen. Mean SIC values for gadobutrol and gadoxetic acid were compared by a two-sample t-test with p-value <0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: In abdominal aorta, the mean SIC in the arterial phase did not significantly differ between gadobutrol (330%) and gadoxetic acid (295%). In portal vein, the mean SIC in the portal venous phase significantly differed between gadobutrol (267%) and gadoxetic acid (176%). Liver parenchyma enhancement was significantly higher for gadobutrol than for gadoxetic acid in both arterial phase (28 versus 13%) and portal venous phase (81 versus 46%). On the contrary, gadobutrol reached significantly lower mean SIC in the liver on delayed scans at 10 min (47 versus 59%) and 20 min (40 versus 67%), as well as in common bile duct at 10 min (54 versus 133%) and 20 min (57 versus 457%), respectively. In the spleen, mean SIC for gadobutrol was significantly higher at all phases. CONCLUSION: Gadobutrol showed superior enhancement of upper abdominal structures in the dynamic phases whereas gadoxetic acid showed better enhancement of the hepatobiliary structures on delayed scans.     

Hypovascular hepatic nodule showing hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease: prediction of malignant transformation

Purpose

To investigate the predictive factors of malignant transformation of hypovascular hepatic nodule showing hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase images of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (HHN).

Materials and Methods

The clinical data and imaging findings of dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (DCE-CT) and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for a total of 103 HHNs in 24 patients with chronic liver disease were retrospectively investigated. After the results of follow-up examinations were investigated, HHNs were categorized into the three groups for each comparison: (1) nodules with enlargement and/or vascularization and others, (2) nodules with only enlargement and others, (3) nodules with only vascularization and others. Enlargement and/or vascularization during the follow-up period were defined as malignant transformation of HHN. The frequency of each clinical datum and imaging finding in each group was compared to identify the predictive factors for malignant transformation in HHN.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed that a nodule size of 9 mm or more on the initial gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI was a significant predictive factor for the enlargement and/or vascularization of HHN (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the hypoattenuation on the delayed phase imaging of the initial DCE-CT was a significant predictive factor for the enlargement or vascularization of HHN (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

A nodule size of 9 mm or more on the initial gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and hypoattenuation on the delayed phase imaging of initial DCE-CT would be helpful for predicting the outcome of HHN in patients with a risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Histological characteristics of small hepatocellular carcinomas showing atypical enhancement patterns on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MR imaging

Purpose:

To define the histological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) showing atypical dynamic enhancement patterns on gadoxetic acid‐enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (EOB‐MRI).

Materials and Methods:

We evaluated a total of 130 small (≤3 cm) HCCs from 114 patients that were surgically removed after EOB‐MRI. Two radiologists blinded to the histological findings retrospectively classified the HCCs into typical or atypical lesions. Gross morphology, nuclear histological grade, presence of vascular invasion, and capsule formation and infiltration were compared between the two groups using Chi‐square or Fisher tests.

Results:

Atypical dynamic enhancement patterns were seen in 23 HCCs (17.7%). None of the atypical HCC showed vascular invasion (P < 0.001). Atypical HCCs also showed more frequently smaller size (1.6 ± 0.6 cm versus 2.1 ± 0.6 cm, P = 0.001) with 86.9% (n = 20) of which 2 cm or less in diameter (P = 0.001), vaguely nodular appearance (56.5% vs 3.7%, P < 0.001), and nuclear grade I (69.6% versus 6.5%, P < 0.001), while less frequently showed capsule formation (26.1% versus 77.6%, P < 0.001) or capsular infiltration (16.7% versus 77.1%, P = 0.005).

Conclusion:

Atypical HCCs on EOB‐MRI may be characterized by the absence of vascular invasion, smaller (< 2 cm or less) size, vaguely nodular appearance, and well differentiation, and infrequent capsule formation or capsular infiltration. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1384–1391. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hyperintense HCC on hepatobiliary phase images of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI: Correlation with clinical and pathological features

Purpose

To retrospectively determine whether the hyperintense hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) seen on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging (EOB-MRI) might have different histologic characteristics from usual hypointense HCCs.

Materials and methods

Two hundred three surgically proven HCCs from 192 patients who underwent preoperative EOB-MRI were analyzed. The demographic and histologic characteristics of hyperintense HCCs were compared with usual hypointense HCCs by using the t-test or Fisher's exact test.

Results

By visual assessment, 18 (8.8%) tumors were classified as hyperintense HCCs. Patients with hyperintense HCC were significantly (p < 0.05) older (60.1 vs. 55.2 years) than those with hypointense HCCs. Hyperintense HCCs showed significantly lower rate of microvascular invasion (27.8% vs. 53.5%) and significantly higher rate of peliosis (61.1% vs. 30.8%). Hyperintense HCCs were more frequently expanding type, and none showed infiltrative type or scirrhous histologic pattern.

Conclusions

Hyperintense HCCs seem to have clinical and histologic features that might be related with more favorable outcomes.     

The value of paradoxical uptake of hepatocellular carcinoma on the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging for the prediction of lipiodol uptake after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

PurposeTo compare the response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with paradoxical uptake on the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) (HCC_para) and HCC with defect on the HBP (HCC_def), and to identify some imaging features that can differentiate between two groups.Materials and methodsNinety-three HCCs from 54 patients who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to TACE were included. HCCs were classified into two groups according to the signal intensity (SI) on the HBP: HCC_para and HCC_def. Using post-TACE computed tomography (CT) as a reference standard, initial compact lipiodol uptake was assessed and compared between groups. The arterial enhancement ratio (AER), SI ratios of the arterial phase and HBP, and presence of the capsule appearance were compared between groups. After initial response, local tumor recurrence within 6 and 18 months was evaluated based on follow-up CT or MRI.ResultsFifteen HCC_para and 78 HCC_def were included. Compared to HCC_def, HCC_para showed more frequent initial compact lipiodol uptake (p = 0.009), larger mean size (p = 0.019), lower AER (p = 0.005), higher SI ratio of the HBP (p < 0.0001), and more frequent capsule appearance (p < 0.0001). Local tumor recurrence rate within 6 months was also significantly lower in HCC_para than in HCC_def (p = 0.008).ConclusionDespite larger size and lower AER, HCC_para showed more frequent initial compact lipiodol uptake and lower early local recurrence rate after TACE than did HCC_def.     

肝细胞癌微血管侵犯的影像特征分析及相关预测模型的研究进展

微血管侵犯（MVI）是影响肝细胞癌（HCC）预后的重要因素。目前研究的热点包括分析HCC肿瘤大小、形态、包膜完整性、强化特征等与MVI相关的影像特征,以及包括Logistic回归分析风险预测模型、列线图模型及影像组学模型等MVI的术前预测模型的研究。对HCC的MVI影像特征及术前预测模型的研究进展予以综述。     

高场强原发性肝癌MR表现及分析

目的：分析高场强下原发性肝癌的MRI表现。方法：收集经手术或尸检病理证实的原发性肝癌MR资料43例，其中巨块型肝癌32例，其中伴子灶3例，结节型5例，小肝癌6例。设备为GE1．5T超导signa advantage MR。应用SET1WI，FSEPDWI，T2WI进行轴位扫描，所有病均行增强扫描。结果：肝癌在T1WI呈高、等、低信号，在T2WI呈高信号，部分肿瘤内部信号不均，肝癌的强化程度主要取决于肿瘤血供的多少，肝癌的包膜由纤维组织构成，表现为低信号环，无包膜的肿瘤门静脉侵犯发生率高，肿瘤的信号及包膜与其病理分级有一定的相关性。结论：MRI对反映原发性肝癌的病理特征有其独特的优越性。     

术前影像检查在预测肝癌微血管侵犯中的研究进展

微血管侵犯(MVI)是肝癌术后复发及转移独立预测因子之一,目前只能经病理学确诊,但随着影像技术的发展,超声、CT、MRI、PET-CT/MRI等技术逐渐用于肝癌MVI的预测,即通过对一些能够反映肿瘤内部微环境、细胞功能与物质成分以及血流动力学等方面的定量参数的测量得到实现。就术前影像检查预测肝癌MVI的研究进展进行综述。     

钆喷酸葡甲胺脂质体的制备及对大鼠肝癌灶的诊断作用

目的 :探讨Gd DTPA脂质体造影剂对大鼠肝癌灶的诊断价值。方法 :采用冻融超声法制备出粒径 0 .61±0 .3 4 μm的装载Gd DTPA的脂质体 ,二乙基亚硝胺法建立大鼠肝癌灶模型 ( 5例 ) ;观察静注 0 .1mmol/10 0 g体重Gd DT PA脂质体后大鼠肝癌灶显示情况 ,并与尸检对照。结果 :脂质体造影剂包裹率为 2 0 .1% ,能有效、持续地造成肝脏选择性靶向强化 ,从而衬托出肝癌病灶 ,使癌灶检出率由平扫 17.6%上升至增强后的 76.5 % ( 0 .0 1

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原发性肝细胞癌微血管侵犯的术前诊断研究进展

原发性肝细胞癌（HCC）是最常见的恶性肿瘤之一,术后复发率高,预后差。微血管侵犯（MVI）指在显微镜下于内皮细胞衬覆的脉管腔内见到癌细胞巢团,且没有肉眼可发现的肿瘤血管侵犯,是导致HCC术后复发、影响预后最重要的因素之一。MVI的术前诊断对综合治疗方案的制定及预后判断有重要价值,但术前准确诊断仍存在较大的挑战。主要从临床、分子生物学、影像表现等方面对MVI术前诊断的研究进展进行综述。      

Dual energy spectral CT imaging for the evaluation of small hepatocellular carcinoma microvascular invasion

ObjectiveTo study the clinical value of dual-energy spectral CT in the quantitative assessment of microvascular invasion of small hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsThis study was approved by our ethics committee. 50 patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent contrast enhanced spectral CT in arterial phase (AP) and portal venous phase (VP) were enrolled. Tumour CT value and iodine concentration (IC) were measured from spectral CT images. The slope of spectral curve, normalized iodine concentration (NIC, to abdominal aorta) and ratio of IC difference between AP and VP (RIC_AP–VP: [RIC_AP–VP = (IC_AP−IC_VP)/IC_AP]) were calculated. Tumours were identified as either with or without microvascular invasion based on pathological results. Measurements were statistically compared using independent samples t test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of tumours microvascular invasion assessment. The 70 keV images were used to simulate the results of conventional CT scans for comparison.Results56 small hepatocellular carcinomas were detected with 37 lesions (Group A) with microvascular invasion and 19 (Group B) without. There were significant differences in IC, NIC and slope in AP and RIC_AP–VP between Group A (2.48 ± 0.70 mg/ml, 0.23 ± 0.05, 3.39 ± 1.01 and 0.28 ± 0.16) and Group B (1.65 ± 0.47 mg/ml, 0.15 ± 0.05, 2.22 ± 0.64 and 0.03 ± 0.24) (all p < 0.05). Using 0.188 as the threshold for NIC, one could obtain an area-under-curve (AUC) of 0.87 in ROC to differentiate between tumours with and without microvascular invasion. AUC was 0.71 with CT value at 70 keV and improved to 0.81 at 40 keV.ConclusionDual-energy Spectral CT provides additional quantitative parameters than conventional CT to improve the differentiation between small hepatocellular carcinoma with and without microvascular invasion.Clinical Application/RelevanceQuantitative iodine concentration measurement in spectral CT may be used to provide a new method to improve the evaluation for small hepatocellular carcinoma microvascular invasion.     

Differentiation between cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma with target sign on diffusion-weighted imaging and hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging: Classification tree analysis applying capsule and septum

ObjectivesTo assess the usefulness of classification tree analysis (CTA) for discrimination of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with target sign on hepatobiliary phase (HBP) and/or diffusion-weighted image (DWI) from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).MethodsThis retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board. From among the 811 patients with histopathologically proven 79 ICCs and 732 HCCs, 69 patients with 69 (87.3%) ICCs and 115 patients with 115 HCCs (15.7%) including 25 scirrhous HCCs and 10 HCCs with central scar that showed the target sign either on HBP or on DWI were included. Two radiologists evaluated the presence of capsule, septum, and arterial enhancement pattern on MR imaging. Capsule, septum, arterial enhancement pattern, and target sign on HBP or DWI were used to classify the tumors using CTA.ResultsOn CTA, capsule was the initial predictor for assessing the probability of tumors being HCC. The CTA model demonstrated a sensitivity of 86.1%, specificity of 76.8%, and accuracy of 82.6% for discriminating between ICCs and HCCs. In 115 HCCs, only 16 (13.9%) tumors were misclassified as high probability of ICC, and 64.0% (16/25) scirrhous HCCs and 90.0% (9/10) HCCs with central scar were correctly classified as high probability of HCC.ConclusionsTarget sign either on HBP or on DWI was shown in 87.3% (69/79) of ICCs and 15.7% (115/732) of HCCs. The CTA applying capsule and septum may be useful for guiding correct diagnosis of atypical HCCs with the target sign from ICCs.     

Added diagnostic value of T2-weighted MR imaging to gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional dynamic MR imaging for the detection of small hepatocellular carcinomas

Purpose

To assess the added value of T2-weighted MRI to gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MRI for detection of HCCs.

Materials and methods

Two readers retrospectively analyzed MRIs of 115 patients with 131 HCCs (size; 0.6–2.0 cm) that had been diagnosed by histology (n = 41) or imaging findings (n = 90). Two separate blind image analyses of the gadolinium set and the combined T2-weighted imaging and gadolinium sets were performed. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the alternative-free response receiver operating characteristic method with four-point scale. Sensitivity and positive predictive value were also calculated.

Results

For both observers, the Az values and sensitivities with the combined T2-weighed imaging and gadolinium set (mean Az 0.806, sensitivity 84.7) were significantly higher than those with the gadolinium set (mean Az 0.660, sensitivity 59.9) (p < 0.05). The addition of T2-weighted imaging led to a change in diagnosis for 27 lesions by both observers, which at gadolinium set were assigned a confidence level of 1 or 2 but at additional reading of T2-weighted imaging were assigned a confidence level of 3 or 4. For the positive predictive values, each image set showed a similar value for each observer.

Conclusion

The addition of T2-weighted imaging to gadolinium-enhanced 3D dynamic imaging could be helpful in the detection of HCC by increasing reader confidence for HCCs with equivocal findings on gadolinium-enhanced MRIs.     

Hepatic Arterial Phase on Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Liver MR Imaging: A Randomized Comparison of 0.5 mL/s and 1 mL/s Injection Rates

Objective

To compare gadoxetic acid injection rates of 0.5 mL/s and 1 mL/s for hepatic arterial-phase magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials and Methods

In this prospective study, 101 consecutive patients with suspected focal liver lesions were included and randomly divided into two groups. Each group underwent dynamic liver MR imaging using a 3.0-T scanner after an intravenous injection of gadoxetic acid at rates of either 0.5 mL/s (n = 50) or 1 mL/s (n = 51). Arterial phase images were analyzed after blinding the injection rates. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the liver, aorta, portal vein, hepatic vein, spleen, and pancreas were measured. The contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of the hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) were calculated. Finally, two experienced radiologists were independently asked to identify, if any, HCCs in the liver on the images and score the image quality in terms of the presence of artifacts and the proper enhancement of the liver, aorta, portal vein, hepatic vein, hepatic artery, spleen, pancreas, and kidney.

Results

The SNRs were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.233-0.965). The CNRs of the HCCs were not significantly different (p = 0.597). The sensitivity for HCC detection and the image quality scores were not significantly different between the two injection rates (p = 0.082-1.000).

Conclusion

Image quality and sensitivity for hepatic HCCs of arterial-phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR were not significantly improved by reducing the contrast injection rate to 0.5 mL/s compared with 1 mL/s.     

MRI肝胆特异性对比剂Gd-EOB-DTPA对小肝细胞癌的诊断研究进展

肝细胞癌(HCC)是常见的原发性肝脏恶性肿瘤,全球的发病率逐年增长。HCC的早期发现与及时治疗是提高病人预后及生存率的关键。钆塞酸二钠(Gd-EOB-DTPA)是一种新型的MRI肝胆特异性对比剂,不仅具有普通细胞外间隙对比剂的功能,还可被肝细胞特异性摄取,进而提供肝胆期信息。Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI对HCC的诊断价值优于常规细胞外间隙对比剂增强MRI。就Gd-EOB-DTPA增强MRI在小HCC诊断及鉴别诊断中的应用现状进行综述。     

Fate of hypointense lesions on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose

To investigate the natural outcome and clinical implication of hypointense lesions in the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

Materials and methods

Forty patients underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for preoperative evaluation of HCC. Hypointense lesions in the hepatobiliary phase that were hypovascular 5 mm of more were extracted for follow-up. We performed a longitudinal study retrospectively for these lesions regardless of whether classical HCC developed or emerged in a different area from that of the lesions being followed.

Results

Thirty one patients displayed 130 hypointense lesions on MRI and only nine showed no hypointense lesions. In total, 17 (13.1%) of 130 hypointense lesions on MRI developed into classical HCC. The cumulative rates for these lesions to develop into classical HCC were 3.2% at 1 year, 11.1% at 2 years and 15.9% at 3 years. The total occurrence rates of classical HCC (25.8% at 1 year, 52.6% at 2 years and 76.4% at 3 years) were higher compared to those regarding only occurrence of classical HCC from hypointense lesions on MRI (10.0% at 1 year, 35.6% at 2 years and 44.6% at 3 years), although no significant difference was observed (p = 0.073).

Conclusions

Hypointense lesions that are detected in the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI have some malignant potential, although treating these lesions aggressively in patients who already have HCC may be too severe.     

Association between non-hypervascular hypointense nodules on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and liver stiffness or hepatocellular carcinoma

PurposeTo assess the association between non-hypervascular hypointense nodules (NHHNs) on gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and liver stiffness (LS) in patients with chronic liver disease, and analyzed their progression to overt hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsBetween August 2012 and March 2016, a total of 714 consecutive patients who had undergone transient elastography for LS measurement and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI were investigated. The association between the presence of NHHNs on the hepatobiliary phase and LS, and the patient’s HCC status [none, presence of treatment-naïve HCC, or a history of previous HCC treatment] was assessed. In patients with these nodules, cumulative progression rates of nodules to overt HCC were compared with rates of new HCC development in other parts of the liver.ResultsThe prevalence of NHHNs was 16.8% (120/714). The presence of these nodules was significantly associated with the log LS (Odds ratio [OR], 1.48, p = 0.002) and hepatitis B virus infection (OR, 3.14, p = 0.017), regardless of the patient’s HCC status. The two year cumulative progression rate of overt HCC from corresponding nodules and rate of progression to HCC in other parts of the liver were 34.1% and 18.3%, respectively (p = 0.071).ConclusionThe presence of NHHNs on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI was associated with higher LS and hepatitis B virus infection. Furthermore, these lesions frequently progressed to overt HCC.