Enhanced diagnostic performance for subcentimeter hepatocellular carcinoma using a novel criterion integrating serum AFP levels and gadolinium-based contrast-enhanced MRI features.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To assess the effectiveness of LI-RADS v2018 and r-LI-RADS in diagnosing subcentimeter hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate the potential value of serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in conjunction with gadolinium-based contrast-enhanced MRI (CE-MRI) for assessing these lesions.

Methods

This retrospective study included 179 untreated, high-risk patients with microlesions (< 1 cm) from 2015 to 2023. Of these, 92 lesions were pathologically confirmed as HCC, the remaining 87 were non-HCC. Two radiologists independently rated imaging features using LI-RADS and r-LI-RADS. The optimal AFP threshold for HCC diagnosis was determined by the Youden index. Logistic regression analyses identified independent predictors of micro-HCC, leading to the development of new diagnos

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502412 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature