Modified LR-5 criteria based on gadoxetic acid can improve the sensitivity in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

Background: Currently, only tumors classified as LR-5 are considered definitive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and no further pathologic confirmation is required to initiate therapy. Previous studies have shown that the sensitivity of LR-5 is modest, and lesions enhanced by gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) may exhibit lower sensitivity than those enhanced by Gd-DTPA.

Aim: To identify malignant ancillary features (AFs) that can independently and significantly predict HCC in Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2018, and to develop modified LR-5 criteria to improve diagnostic performance on Gd-EOB-DTPA - enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Imaging data from patients with HCC risk factors who underwent abdominal Gd-EOB-DTPA - enhanced magnetic resonance imaging were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine AFs that could independently and significantly predict HCC. The modified LR-5 criteria involved reclassifying LR-4/LR-3 lesions based on major features combined with independently significant AFs for HCC, or by substituting threshold growth with significant AFs. McNemar's test was used to compare the diagnostic performance of the modified LR-5 criteria.

Results: A total of 244 lesions from 216 patients were included. Transitional phase hypointensity, mild - moderate T2 hyperintensity, and fat in mass (more than adjacent liver) were identified as significant independent predictors of HCC. Using the modified LR-5 criteria (e.g., LR-5-M1: LR-4 + transitional phase hypointensity; LR-5-M4: LR-5 by transitional phase hypointensity instead of threshold growth; LR-5-M5: LR-5 by mild - moderate T2 hyperintensity instead of threshold growth; LR-5-M8: LR-3/LR-4 + any two features of transitional phase hypointensity/mild - moderate T2 hyperintensity/fat in mass), sensitivities were significantly increased (88.5%-89.1%) compared to the standard LR-5 (60.6%; all P values < 0.05), while specificities (84.8%-89.9%) remained largely unchanged (93.7%; all P values > 0.05). The LR-5-M8 criterion achieved the highest sensitivity.

Conclusion: Mild - moderate T2 hyperintensity, transitional phase hypointensity, and fat in mass are independent and significant predictors of HCC malignant AFs. The modified LR-5 criteria can improve sensitivity without significantly reducing specificity.