MRI proton density fat fraction for estimation of tumor grade in steatotic hepatocellular carcinoma

• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09864-x
• Publication Date: 2023-06-27T07:01:58Z
• Authors: Patrick Arthur Ku...; Darius Kurt; Christoph Endler; Julian Alexander ...; Guido Matthias Kukuk; Florian Fronhoffs; Hans-Peter Fischer; Ulrike Irmgard At...; Claus Christian P...
• Keywords: Interquartile range; Steatosis; Neuroradiology

Image-based detection of intralesional fat in focal liver lesions has been established diagnostic guidelines as a feature indicative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated with favorable prognosis. Given recent advances MRI-based quantification techniques, we investigated possible relationship between content histologic tumor grade steatotic HCCs.Patients histopathologically confirmed HCC prior MRI proton density fraction (PDFF) mapping were retrospectively identified. Intralesional HCCs was assessed using an ROI-based analysis the median compared grades G1-3 non-parametric testing. ROC performed case statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses conducted for patients with/without steatosis cirrhosis.A total 57 (62 lesions) eligible analysis. The significantly higher G1 (median [interquartile range], 7.9% [6.0─10.7%]) than G2 (4.4% [3.2─6.6%]; p = .001) G3 (4.7% [2.8─7.8%]; .036). PDFF good discriminator G2/3 (AUC .81; cut-off 5.8%, sensitivity 83%, specificity 68%) comparable results cirrhosis. In steatosis, overall sample, performing better distinguishing .92; 8.8%, 91%).Quantification allows distinction well- less-differentiated HCCs.PDFF may help optimize precision medicine tool assessment HCCs. Further investigation intratumoral potential prognostic indicator treatment response is encouraged.• enables (G1) less- (G2 G3) differentiated carcinomas. • retrospective single-center study 62 histologically proven carcinomas, tumors showed (7.9% vs. 4.4% 4.7%; .004). even G2/G3