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Abstract Details
Noncontrast MRI for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Detection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - A Potential Surveillance Tool?
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Jan;20(1):44-56.e2.doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.02.036. Epub 2021 Mar 2.
1Department of Radiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Concord Hospital Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
2Department of Radiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
3Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research and Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
4Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
5Department of Radiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Concord Hospital Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: jessica.yang1@health.nsw.gov.au.
Abstract
Background and aims: This meta-analysis investigates the diagnostic performance of non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: A systematic review was performed to May 2020 for studies which examined the diagnostic performance of non-contrast MRI (multi-sequence or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)- alone) for HCC detection in high risk patients. The primary outcome was accuracy for the detection of HCC. Random effects models were used to pool outcomes for sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR) and negative LR. Subgroup analyses for cirrhosis and size of the lesion were performed.
Results: Twenty-two studies were included involving 1685 patients for per-patient analysis and 2128 lesions for per-lesion analysis. Multi-sequence non-contrast MRI (NC-MRI) using T2+DWI±T1 sequences had a pooled per-patient sensitivity of 86.8% (95%CI:83.9-89.4%), specificity of 90.3% (95%CI:87.3-92.7%), and negative LR of 0.17 (95%CI:0.14-0.20). DWI-only MRI (DW-MRI) had a pooled sensitivity of 79.2% (95%CI:71.8-85.4%), specificity of 96.5% (95%CI:94.3-98.1%) and negative LR of 0.24 (95%CI:1.62-0.34). In patients with cirrhosis, NC-MRI had a pooled per-patient sensitivity of 87.3% (95%CI:82.7-91.0%) and specificity of 81.6% (95%CI:75.3-86.8%), whilst DWI-MRI had a pooled sensitivity of 71.4% (95%CI:60.5-80.8%) and specificity of 97.1% (95%CI:91.9-99.4%). For lesions <2 cm, the pooled per-lesion sensitivity was 77.1% (95%CI:73.8-80.2%). For lesions >2 cm, pooled per-lesion sensitivity was 88.5% (95%CI:85.0-91.5%).
Conclusion: Non-contrast MRI has a moderate negative LR and high specificity with acceptable sensitivity for the detection of HCC, even in patients with cirrhosis and with lesions <2 cm. Prospective trials to validate if non-contrast MRI can be used for HCC surveillance is warranted.