Acid-enhanced MRI In Patients Research Articles

Comparison of Four Diagnostic Guidelines for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced Liver MRI.

Background Noninvasive diagnostic guidelines for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vary across different global geographic areas, especially regarding criteria about gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Purpose To compare the diagnostic performance of four different international HCC diagnosis guidelines and readers' judgment in diagnosing HCC using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients at high risk for HCC. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients who had not undergone treatment, were at risk for HCC, and who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI from January 2015 to June 2018 from 11 tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Four radiologists independently reviewed focal liver lesions (FLLs) according to four guidelines: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD)/Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS), Korean Liver Cancer Association-National Cancer Center (KLCA-NCC), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), and Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL). Reader judgment (HCC or not HCC) was also recorded. Malignant FLLs were confirmed at pathology, and histologic and clinical follow-up data were used for benign FLLs. The guidelines' diagnostic performance was compared using generalized estimating equations. Additionally, the diagnostic odds ratio was assessed. Results A total of 2445 FLLs (median size, 27.4 mm) were analyzed in 2237 patients (mean age, 59 years ± 11 [SD]; 1666 male patients); 69.3% (1694 of 2445) were HCCs. KLCA-NCC showed the highest accuracy (80.0%; 95% CI: 78.7, 81.2; P = .001), with high sensitivity in Eastern guidelines (APASL, 89.1% [95% CI: 87.8, 90.3]; KLCA-NCC, 78.2% [95% CI: 76.6, 79.7]) and high specificity in Western guidelines (AASLD/LI-RADS, 89.6% [95% CI: 87.8, 91.2]; EASL, 88.1% [95% CI: 86.2, 89.9]) (P = .001). The diagnostic odds ratios were 20.7 (95% CI: 17.0, 25.3) for AASLD/LI-RADS, 18.9 (95% CI: 15.8, 22.6) for KLCA-NCC, 16.8 (95% CI: 13.8, 20.4) for EASL, and 8.9 (95% CI: 7.4, 10.7) for APASL. The readers' judgment demonstrated higher accuracy than that of the guidelines (accuracy, 86.0%; 95% CI: 84.9, 86.9; P = .001). Conclusion Among four different international HCC diagnosis guidelines, Eastern guidelines demonstrated higher sensitivity, whereas Western guidelines displayed higher specificity. KLCA-NCC achieved the highest accuracy, and AASLD/LI-RADS exhibited the highest diagnostic odds ratio. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Determining the efficacy of functional liver imaging score (FLIS) obtained from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis: the relationship between Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) grade and FLIS.

(1) To evaluate the efficacy of functional liver imaging score (FLIS) in predicting liver function on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) or liver cirrhosis (LC) and its relationship with ALBI grade. (2) To assess the intra-reader reliability and interreader agreement of readers with different levels of experience in abdominal imaging of FLIS. We retrospectively included 131 patients (70 men, 61 women; mean ± SD, 53.7 ± 14.6years) with CLD and LC who underwent GA-enhanced MRI between November 2019 and March 2022. FLIS was assigned as a result of the sum of three hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images features, each scored 0-2: liver parenchymal enhancement, biliary contrast excretion, and portal vein sign. FLIS was calculated using HPB images independently by three radiologists with different experience. In addition, 50 randomly selected patients were reviewed a second time by a reader to assess intra-reader reliability. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade: ALBI grade 1, 2, and 3. We evaluated the correlation between ALBI grade and both FLIS and its parameters using Spearman's rank correlation for each reader. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to show the optimal cut-off value of FLIS to distinguish between ALBI grades. Intra-reader reliability and inter-reader agreement were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). FLIS and three FLIS parameters showed very strong correlation with ALBI grade for each readers (r = - 0.843 to 0.976, -0.831 to 0.962, and -0.819 to 0.902, respectively). ROC curve analysis showed that FLIS ≥ 5 was the optimal cutoff for prediction of ALBI grade 1 for each readers (sensitivity, 83.7% to 95.4%; specificity, 82.6% to 87%; accuracy, 88.6% to 93.6% and area under the curve (AUC), 0.882 to 0.917), and FLIS ≤ 3 was the optimal cutoff for distinguish ALBI grade 3 from other grades for each readers (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 95.2% to 96%; accuracy, 95.4% to 96.2% and AUC, 0.974 to 0.994). Intra-reader reliability (ICC = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.96) and inter-reader agreement (ICC = 0.85 to 0.90; 95% CI 0.82-0.97) for FLIS were excellent. FLIS showed a very correlation with hepatic function level and can stratify the ALBI grades. This feature has demonstrated the potential of FLIS to be excellent radiological tools for predicting of liver function of CLD and LC patients in clinical practice. Also, the excellent agreement of FLIS among readers with different levels of experience indicates that it can be used with high accuracy and reproducibility regardless of experience.

Total Bilirubin Level as a Predictor of Suboptimal Image Quality of the Hepatobiliary Phase of Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced MRI in Patients with Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine a factor for predicting suboptimal image quality of the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with extrahepatic bile duct (EHD) cancer before MRI examination.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 259 patients (mean age ± standard deviation: 68.0 ± 8.3 years; 162 male and 97 female) with EHD cancer who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI between 2011 and 2017. Patients were divided into a primary analysis set (n = 184) and a validation set (n = 75) based on the diagnosis date of January 2014. Two reviewers assigned the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) to reflect the HBP image quality. The FLIS consists of the sum of three HBP features, each scored on a 0–2 scale: liver parenchymal enhancement, biliary excretion, and signal intensity of the portal vein. Patients were classified into low-FLIS (0–3) or high-FLIS (4–6) groups. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine a predictor of low FLIS using serum biochemical and imaging parameters of cholestasis severity. The optimal cutoff value for predicting low FLIS was obtained using receiver operating characteristic analysis, and validation was performed.ResultsOf the 259 patients, 140 (54.0%) and 119 (46.0%) were classified into the low-FLIS and high-FLIS groups, respectively. In the primary analysis set, total bilirubin was an independent factor associated with low FLIS (adjusted odds ratio per 1-mg/dL increase, 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32–1.98). The optimal cutoff value of total bilirubin for predicting low FLIS was 2.1 mg/dL with a sensitivity of 95.1% (95% CI: 88.9–98.4) and a specificity of 89.0% (95% CI: 80.2–94.9). In the validation set, the total bilirubin cutoff showed a sensitivity of 92.1% (95% CI: 78.6–98.3) and a specificity of 83.8% (95% CI: 68.0–93.8).ConclusionSerum total bilirubin before acquisition of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI may help predict suboptimal HBP image quality in patients with EHD cancer.

Validation of functional liver imaging scores (FLIS) derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis: the relationship between Child-Pugh score and FLIS.

To validate the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) for prediction of hepatic function in gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. We retrospectively identified 134 patients (88 men, 46 women; mean age, 58.8 years) between January 2015 and December 2018 with the following inclusion criteria: patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis or chronic liver disease (CLD) who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Three parameters on hepatobiliary phase images were evaluated for FLIS: liver parenchymal enhancement, biliary excretion, and signal intensity of the portal vein. Patients were classified as CLD (n = 11), Child-Pugh (CP) class A (n = 87), CP B (n = 22), or CP C (n = 14). We assessed the correlation between CP score and both FLIS and its components using Spearman rank correlation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to demonstrate the cutoff value of FLIS for differentiating between CP classes. The associations between patient characteristics, serum markers, FLIS, and hepatic decompensation were evaluated with Cox proportional hazard models. FLIS and three FLIS parameters showed strong to very strong correlation with CP score (r = -0.60 to 0.82). ROC curve analysis showed that FLIS ≥ 5 was the optimal cutoff for prediction of CP class A or CLD (sensitivity, 83.7%; specificity, 94.4%; area under the curve [AUC], 0.93). FLIS < 5 was independently associated with the development of first hepatic decompensation in patients with CP A (HR, 50.0; 95% confidence interval, 6.2, 400.4). FLIS showed a strong correlation with hepatic function and can stratify the CP class. In addition, FLIS can help prediction for the development of first decompensation. • Functional liver imaging scores (FLIS) and its three parameters, derived from hepatobiliary phase image, have strong to very strong correlations with Child-Pugh (CP) scores. • FLIS can stratify patients with chronic liver disease or liver cirrhosis according to CP classification. • Low FLIS is an independent predictor for first hepatic decompensation in patients with CP class A.

Hepatobiliary phase hypointense nodule without arterial phase hyperenhancement: are they at risk of HCC recurrence after ablation or surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR) risk of hepatobiliary phase (HBP) hypointense nodules without arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) on pretreatment gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with either hepatectomy or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched up to April 6, 2019. We included studies that evaluated HBP hypointense nodules without APHE as risk factors for IDR in HCC patients treated with either hepatectomy or RFA. Hazard ratios (HR) were meta-analytically pooled using random effects model. Subgroup analyses stratified to clinicopathologic variables were performed to explore heterogeneity. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool. Eight studies with 842 patients were analyzed. The overall pooled HR for IDR was 2.44 (95% CI, 1.99-2.98) and were 2.14 (95% CI, 1.66-2.76) and 3.07 (95% CI, 2.19-4.31) for patients that underwent hepatectomy and RFA, respectively. No significant heterogeneity was present (I2 = 0%). The presence of these nodules was consistently shown to be significant factors for IDR in other subgroups (HR = 1.74-3.07). Study quality was generally moderate. HBP hypointense nodules without APHE are risk factors for IDR in HCC patients treated with either RFA or hepatectomy. Stratification of patient management with regard to performing additional tests or treatment for these nodules and modification of proper follow-up strategies may be required in patients with HCC who have these nodules on pretreatment gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. • HBP hypointense nodules without APHE constitute an entity that is unique in gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. • HBP hypointense nodules without APHE are risk factors for IDR in HCC patients treated with either RFA or hepatectomy. • Stratification of management and modification of proper follow-up strategies may be required in HCC patients who have these nodules on pretreatment gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI.

Multiparametric imaging for detection and characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and perfusion-CT: which parameters work best?

BackgroundMRI and perfusion-CT (PCT) are both useful imaging techniques for detection and characterization of liver lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of imaging parameters derived from PCT and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods36 patients with liver cirrhosis and a total of 67 lesions referred to our hospital for multi-parametric diagnosis of HCC-suspected liver lesions in the setting of liver cirrhosis were prospectively enrolled and underwent PCT and MRI. HCC diagnosis was confirmed either by histology (n = 60) or interval growth (n = 7). For PCT, mean/max blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), k-trans, arterial liver perfusion (ALP), portal venous perfusion (PVP) and hepatic perfusion index (HPI) were quantified. Two readers identified the lesions based on single maps each being blinded to the number of lesions.MRI-protocol included fat-suppressed T1w-VIBE sequences obtained before, 2, 5, 10 and 20 min after the injection of gadoxetic acid as well as non-enhanced coronal HASTE, axial T1w-VIBE, fat-suppressed T2w-TSE and DWI. Quantitative analysis was performed using enhancement ratios between tumor and liver parenchyma for post-contrast in the hepatobiliary phase (RIRHB), arterial (ERa) and late-venous (ERv) phases as well as signal intensity ratios (liver/parenchyma) on T1w (RIRT1) and T2w (RIRT2).ResultsIn PCT analysis, all lesions exhibited high BFmax values (63–250 mL/100 g tissue) and were visible on HPI maps with high degrees of arterial blood supply of (HPI > 96%).In MRI, RIRHB was negative in 8/67. 12/67 HCCs were missed on DWI. 46/67 HCCs showed wash-in and 47/67 HCC showed wash-out of contrast agent. 6/67 HCCs were missed on T1w and 11/67 were missed on T2w-sequences when analyzed separately, while analysis of multiparametric MRI combining typical enhancement pattern, visibility on hepatobiliary phase and T1w-images the same number of lesions as PCT irrespective of their size (1–19 cm) were detected. Quantification of early enhancement by ERa or ERv did not improve detection rates.ConclusionsPerfusion-CT and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI were comparable in detecting HCC lesions. For PCT a mean HPI > 96% proved to be a very robust parameter for detection and characterization of HCC.

The value of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for differentiation between hepatic microabscesses and metastases in patients with periampullary cancer.

We aimed to identify features that differentiate hepatic microabscess from hepatic metastasis on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with periampullary cancer. We included 72 patients (31 patients with 83 hepatic microabscesses and 41 patients with 71 hepatic metastases) who had a history of periampullary cancer and underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Image analysis was performed for margin, signal intensity, rim enhancement, perilesional hyperaemia, pattern on DWI and dynamic phases, and size discrepancy between sequences by consensus of two observers. Multivariate analysis revealed that the following significant parameters favour microabscess: a history of bile duct cancer, perilesional hyperaemia, persistent arterial rim enhancement through the transitional phase (TP), and size discrepancy between T1WI and T2WI and between T1WI and hepatobiliary phase image (HBPI). The diagnostic accuracy for microabscess was highest (90.9%) when showing a size discrepancy ≥30% between T1WI and HBPI or persistent arterial rim enhancement through the TP. When the lesion was positive for both these variables, specificity reached 100%. The combination of a size discrepancy between T1WI and HBPI and persistent arterial rim enhancement through the TP represents a reliable MRI feature for distinguishing between hepatic microabscess and metastasis in patients with periampullary cancer. • Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is useful for distinguishing hepatic microabscess from metastasis. • Hepatic microabscess showed significant size discrepancy ≥30% between T1WI and HBPI. • Arterial rim enhancement persistent through the TP indicates hepatic microabscess.

Assessing Degree of Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease Using Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Liver MRI: Preliminary Results

Purpose: To assess different degree of hepatic fibrosis using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease. Materials and Methods: 31 patients with chronic liver disease and 7 healthy subjects were studied using a 1.5 Tesla MRI. Unenhanced and dynamically enhanced images were acquired using gadoxetic-acid contrast (0.025 mmol/kg). Hepatobiliary phase was obtained with a 20 minute time delay. Liver relative enhancement (LRE) values were calculated sampling 1 cm Regions Of Interest (ROI) per segment. According to Metavir score, patients were divided into different groups: Group A = F0-F1 (absent/mild fibrosis), Group B = F2 (moderate fibrosis) and Group C = F3-F4 (advanced fibrosis). Mann-Whitney test with Bonferroni correction ad hoc was adopted to compare LRE values between classes. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves were created for prediction of different degree of fibrosis. Results: When comparing LRE mean values a statistical difference between F0-F1 and F3-F4 groups (p=0.008) was observed. A significant report was also observed between moderate and advanced fibrosis (p=0.02). In the comparison between group A and group B no significant difference for LRE mean values (p=0.93) was observed. For prediction of advanced fibrosis, ROC curve showed an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.793, with sensitivity of 94.12% and specificity of 57.89% using a threshold LRE value 1.0031. For prediction of 1.0031. Conclusion: LRE values showed significant difference only between moderate and advanced fibrosis. In patients with chronic liver disease, the assessment of early stages of hepatic fibrosis (mild or moderate fibrosis) is not statistically reliable using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Keywords: Contrast media, fibrosis, gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA, liver cirrhosis, liver diseases, magnetic resonance imaging.

Consensus Report of the Fifth International Forum for Liver MRI

This article reviews topics discussed during the Fifth International Forum for Liver MRI (with a focus on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI), which was held in Munich, Germany, in September 2011. Growing evidence shows that gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing liver tumors. Hepatobiliary phase imaging adds new information for the characterization of borderline lesions. However, there is a need to develop standardized criteria for interpretation of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with cirrhosis or other risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Risk of hypervascularization in small hypovascular hepatic nodules showing hypointense in the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the incidence and risk factors for the progression of hypointense nodules observed in the hepatobiliary phase of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI) of hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypovascular nodules (112) showing hypointensity in the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI were examined in 54 patients. All patients underwent computed tomography during hepatic arteriography and computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP) within a month after Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. According to the tumor size, 112 nodules were divided into two groups: those >10 mm in diameter (group A, n = 39) and those ≤10 mm in diameter (group B, n = 73). The incidence of progression to hypervascular HCC was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The incidence of hypervascularization was significantly higher in group A nodules than in group B nodules (p < 0.0001). Tumor size (p < 0.0001) and hypoattenuation in CTAP (p = 0.0004) showed significant correlation with hypervascularization. Hypointense nodules observed in the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI with diameters of >10 mm had a high probability of hypervascularization.

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

PurposeTo 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 MethodsThe 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. ResultsMultivariate analysis showed that a nodule size of 9mm 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). ConclusionA nodule size of 9mm 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.