Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System categories: Long-term imaging outcomes in a prospective surveillance cohort.

Background And Aims: We assessed the imaging outcomes of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) v2018 categories in prospective hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance cohort and determined imaging features significantly predictive of progression to a malignant LI-RADS category.

Methods: The imaging outcomes of 120 patients (162 observations) prospectively enrolled between November 2011 and August 2012 were analysed according to LI-RADS v2018. Cumulative incidences for progression to a malignant category (LR-5 or LR-M) and LR-4 or higher were calculated for each baseline category and compared using log-rank tests. Clinical variables and imaging features significantly predictive of progression to a malignant category were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards modelling.

Results: The 162 observations were initially categorized into 60 LR-2, 75 LR-3 and 27 LR-4. For LR-4 observations, the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year cumulative incidences of progression to a malignant category were 18.5% (95% confidence interval, 6.6-35.2%), 43.0% (23.1-61.5%) and 52.5% (25.9-73.5%), which were significantly higher than those of LR-2 and LR-3 (p  < .001). For LR-3, the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year cumulative incidences of progression to LR-4 or higher were 4.1% (1.1-10.4%), 13.9% (6.7-23.6%) and 23.1% (12.7-35.4%), which were significantly higher than that of LR-2 (p  = .009). In multivariable analysis, size ≥1.0 cm (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.58, 1.04-6.40) and nonrim arterial-phase hyperenhancement (HR = 2.45, 1.11-5.42) were significantly independently associated with progression to a malignant category.

Conclusion: Long-term imaging outcomes differed significantly according to LI-RADS category. Size ≥1.0 cm and nonrim arterial-phase hyperenhancement were imaging features significantly predictive of progression to a malignant category.