The association of US LI-RADS visualization score and diagnostic outcome of US-guided percutaneous biopsy in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinomas

Abstract

Purpose We aimed to determine the association of ultrasound (US) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) visualization score and diagnostic outcome of US-guided percutaneous biopsy in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods In this retrospective study, we included 156 focal hepatic lesions in 156 patients who underwent US-guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy between January and September 2016. According to the US LI-RADS version 2017, we assigned US LI-RADS visualization score (A, B, or C) for each exam. Final diagnoses were determined using pathologic reports and categorized into two groups, i.e., diagnostic and non-diagnostic results. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine the risk factor for non-diagnostic results, including US LI-RADS visualization score and other clinical covariates. Results Of the 156 lesions, 137 (87.8%) were diagnostic and 19 (12.2%) were non-diagnostic results. In the univariate analysis, US LI-RADS visualization score B or C had a significantly higher non-diagnostic result rate than visualization score A (33.3% vs. 3.6%, P Conclusion US-guided percutaneous biopsy resulted in a high diagnostic yield for focal hepatic lesions in patients at risk for HCCs. US LI-RADS visualization score B or C and subcapsular location of a lesion were independent risk factors for non-diagnostic biopsy results.