Liver imaging reporting and data system and CT/MRI diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver^[1]. It is the fifth most common cancer in the world and fourth leading cause of cancer mortality^[1,2]. The incidence of HCC in the United States has been rapidly rising over the last 20 years and predicted to increase until 2030^[3,4]. Imaging plays a critical role in the management of HCC, as the diagnosis of HCC is usually made non-invasively in the appropriate at-risk patient population, based on imaging features alone without the need of pathologic confirmation^[5]. When biopsy is required, it is often done with image guidance; furthermore, imaging plays an integral role in patients undergoing surveillance or following loco-regional therapy^[6]. The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System(LI-RADS) is a comprehensive and dynamic system which provides a standardized means of assessing and communicating the entire spectrum of lesions and pseudolesions in studies performed in patients who are at risk for developing HCC^[7,8]. LI-RADS is developed by an international multidisciplinary consortium of radiologists, hepatologists, hepatobiliary surgeons, and hepatopathologists^[7,8].

Overview

Multiple societies and organizations have proposed image-based systems for the diagnosis of HCC. In 2008, the American College of Radiology proposed the LI-RADS with the primary goal of standardizing the lexicon, interpretation, and reporting of imaging studies specifically in patients who are at risk for developing HCC. The aim was to establish a comprehensive algorithm that would accurately stratify the probability of HCC and malignancy in each observation, while still maintaining a high specificity for HCC^[7]. The first version was released in 2011, followed by major updates in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2018. With the most recent changes in 2018, LI-RADS was integrated into the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) practice guidance for HCC^[6].

Currently, LI-RADS has four individual algorithms that are used in different clinical contexts. Ultrasound LI-RADS is used for surveillance of at-risk patients. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound LI-RADS is used for the diagnosis of HCC. Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) LI-RADS algorithm is used for diagnosis and staging of HCC. Treatment response LI-RADS algorithm is used following local-regional therapy. This manuscript focuses on LI-RADS CT/MRI diagnostic algorithm.

CT/MRI diagnostic algorithm

LI-RADS CT/MRI Diagnostic Algorithm version 2018 (v2018) includes eight diagnostic categories which are applied to individual observations with increasing probability of HCC and malignancy with higher categories. The various categories do not have an exact correlation to the histologic categories but instead reflect the probability of individual observations being benign, HCC, or non-HCC malignancy. For instance, although all observations in LR-1 are benign and all observations in LR-5 are HCC, the opposite is not true, as many benign lesions may not be categorized LR-1 and not all HCC meet criteria for the LR-5 category^[9].

A multiphase contrast-enhanced study is required for appropriate assessment of liver observations. Multiphase studies include late arterial phase, portal venous phase, and delayed phase. Extracellular contrast agents are used for CT exams, while either an extracellular or hepatobiliary agent may be used for MRI^[7]. Extracellular MRI contrast agents provide lesion characteristics based primarily on blood flow, while hepatobiliary agents utilize information from both blood flow and the hepatocellular function^[6]. Although recent meta-analyses studies have shown multiphase contrast-enhanced MRI to have a higher sensitivity than CT for the diagnosis of HCC with similar specificity, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend one modality or contrast agent over the other^[6,7,10]. Practitioners and institutions are encouraged to make decisions based on their best judgement, as well as to develop their own approach based on a multidisciplinary consensus that would be best suited both for the individual patient and the institution as a whole^[6]. In treatment-naïve patients, the unenhanced phase on CT is optional, while it is required in patients following loco-regional therapy^[7]. Late arterial phase (AP) imaging is strongly preferred over the early AP to improve detection of the arterial phase hyperenhancement, an imaging feature that is required for imaging diagnosis of HCC^[7].

LI-RADS CT/MRI diagnostic algorithm is equally applicable to CT and MRI. It is important to note, however, that the assigned categories may be discordant between the two modalities. Several studies have demonstrated that the LI-RADS categories are discordant between CT and MRI in about 35%-70% of cases^[9]. MRI categorizes more benign lesions as LR-1 compared to CT (25%-30% of those lesions were categorized as LR-3 on CT)^[11,12]. When excluding the LR-1 category, MRI-assigned categories are higher compared to the CT-assigned categories (12%-31% of LR-5 observations on MRI were categorized as LR-4, 12% as LR-3, and 15%-29% were not seen on CT)^[9,11,12]. The discrepancies in category assignment is likely multifactorial, and they are related to inherent differences between the modalities, inter-reader disagreements, and the fact that some of the imaging features are only assessable by MRI.

To maintain high specificity of the HCC diagnosis, the LI-RADS algorithm must be applied to a well-defined at-risk target population with a high pretest probability of HCC^[7,13]. It is essential that the patients meet the inclusion criteria for LI-RADS patient population, and have none of the exclusion criteria. The LI-RADS patient population includes patients with cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B with or without cirrhosis, and a personal history of HCC^[7,13]. The exclusion criteria include patients < 18 years of age, those with vascular causes of cirrhosis, or those with congenital hepatic fibrosis^[8].

The LI-RADS CT/MRI algorithm is applied in a stepwise fashion beginning with LR-NC^[7]. This is followed by LR-TIV, LR-1, LR-2, and LR-M. Once the above categories are excluded, the CT/MRI diagnostic table is then used to assign an observation LR-3, LR-4, or LR-5 category. Observations with a pathological diagnosis are reported as such and not assigned a LI-RADS category to avoid confusion and uncertainty (i.e., pathology proven intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma or pathology proven hemangioma). The exception to this is in pathological proven benign or premalignant hepatocellular lesions such as regenerative or dysplastic nodules, which are assigned LI-RADS categories^[9]. The rationale is that such lesions may evolve over time and progress to frank malignancy.

The CT/MRI diagnostic table uses a combination of the major features [Figure 1] to assign LR-3, LR-4, and LR-5 categories, with the option of applying ancillary features (AF) to adjust the final category. The LI-RADS category can be upgraded or downgraded by one, if there are more than one AF favoring malignancy or benignity, respectively^[14]. It is important to note that an LR-4 observation cannot be upgraded to LR-5 based on AF^[14]. The category is also not adjusted where there are ancillary features favoring both benignity and malignancy^[14].

Figure 1. Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging diagnostic table, used to assign LR-3, LR-4, and LR-5 categories. Reprinted with permission from Ref.^[8]

CT/MRI diagnostic categories

LR-NC: not categorizable

Observations are included in this category when they cannot be meaningfully categorized because of image omission and/or degradation, preventing assessment of one or more of its major features resulting in the inability to differentiate categories in which cancer is unlikely (LR-1 or LR-2) from categories in which cancer is likely (LR-4, LR-5, and LR-M)^[7,15]. LR-NC should be applied only to observations that are specifically affected by the limitation and not applied to the entire liver^[15]. Management in this category includes a repeat diagnostic imaging usually within three months with the option of using an alternative modality or contrast agent to improve diagnostic quality^[16].

LR-TIV: definite tumor in vein

Observations in this category demonstrate definite enhancing soft tissue in vein, regardless of the presence of parenchymal mass [Figure 2]^[7,15]. Approximately 92% of observations are malignant^[17]. Approximately 80% of LR-TIV is attributed to HCC, and some intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and combined HCC-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) may also cause tumor in vein^[17]. When a LR-5 parenchymal observation is associated with TIV, it is reported as “LR-TIV, definitely due to HCC”, and, in the absence of a discernable parenchymal mass, it is reported as “LR-TIV, probably due to HCC”^[9]. Occasionally, TIV may be associated with a targetoid parenchymal mass, in which case the category is reported as “LR-TIV, may be due to non-HCC malignancy”^[9]. Management in this category requires multidisciplinary discussion and may require a biopsy if the tumor in vein is not definitely due to HCC^[16,18].

Figure 2. LR-TIV (Definite tumor in vein). Axial computed tomography in a 63-year-old woman with hepatitis C cirrhosis. Arterial phase (A); and portal venous phase (B) demonstrate definite enhancing soft tissue extending to the left portal vein (arrow). The observation is categorized LR-TIV. Note that the presence of parenchymal mass is not required for this category

LR-1: definitely benign

Observations in this category have a 100% certainty of being benign [Figure 3]^[7,15]. Observations in this category are usually benign non-hepatocellular lesions or vascular pseudolesions and include cysts, hemangiomas, focal fatty deposition, or sparing and perfusion related changes^[9]. Benign lesions when evaluated by MRI are more often categorized as LR-1, compared to CT^[11,12]. Management of observations in this category involves routine surveillance in six months^[16,18].

Figure 3. LR-1 (Definitely benign). Axial computed tomography in a 53-year-old woman with hepatitis C cirrhosis. Arterial phase (A); and portal venous phase (B) demonstrate a 17-mm well-defined round observation (arrow) with attenuation values of simple fluid, consistent with a definite simple cyst

LR-2: probably benign

Observations in this category have a high probability but lack 100% certainty of being benign [Figure 4]^[7,15]. A recent systematic review showed about 13% of observations in this category to be HCC and 14% of the observations to be malignant^[17]. The majority of the observations in this category are the same as in LR-1 but display atypical imaging features, which result in less than 100% certainty of making the diagnosis. Additionally, distinctive nodules less than 20 mm without major imaging features of HCC, features of LR-M, and ancillary features favoring malignancy are categorized LR-2^[9]. LR-2 distinctive nodules include siderotic nodules, T1-hyperintense nodules, T2-hypointense nodules, and nodules hyperintense on hepatobiliary phase. Some LR-3 observation can be down-categorized to LR-2, if there are ancillary features favoring benignity and no ancillary features of malignancy^[9]. Management in LR-2 category usually includes routine surveillance in six months; however, occasionally repeat diagnostic imaging with a different modality in six months and/or multimodality discussion may be warranted^[16,18].

Figure 4. LR-2 (Probably benign). Axial computed tomography in a 46-year-old woman with alcoholic cirrhosis. Arterial phase (A); portal venous phase (B); and delayed phases (C) demonstrate an 8-mm well-defined hypodense observation. The observation is too small to definitively characterize, but probably represents a small cyst

LR-M: probably or definitely malignant, not HCC specific

Observations in this category have a high probability or 100% certainty of being malignant but the features are not specific for HCC [Figure 5]^[7,15]. Approximately 93% of observations in this group are malignant, with non-HCC malignancies such as iCCA, cHCC-CCA, and metastases comprising the majority of the LR-M category and HCC accounting for 36% of the observations in this group^[17]. On rare occasions, benign lesions such as sclerosed hemangiomas may have features that meet the criteria for LR-M. Both targetoid and non-targetoid lesions are included in this category. Targetoid lesions include observations with a targetoid morphology, such as targetoid dynamic enhancement pattern, targetoid diffusion restriction, and targetoid transitional or hepatobiliary phase hypointensity^[19]. Non-targetoid lesions in the LR-M group include observations that do not meet the criteria for LR-5 or LR-TIV and with at least one of the following features: infiltrative appearance, marked restricted diffusion, necrosis or severe ischemia, or other features suggesting non-HCC malignancy^[19]. Management requires multidisciplinary discussion and often a biopsy is needed for diagnosis, staging, and management^[16,18].

Figure 5. LR-M (Probably or definitely malignant, not hepatocellular carcinoma specific). Axial Computed Tomography in an 80-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis. Arterial phase (A); portal venous phase (B); and delayed phases (C) demonstrate a 40-mm observation with rim arterial phase hyperenhancement [arrows (A)], peripheral washout appearance [arrow (B)], and delayed central enhancement [arrow (C)] observation. Subsequent biopsy confirmed an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

LR-3: intermediate probability of malignancy

Observations in this category include malignant and nonmalignant lesions, resulting in a moderate probability of being malignant [Figure 6]^[7,15]. Forty percent of observations in this category are malignant with 38% being HCC^[17]. Observations < 20 mm demonstrating nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) alone are categorized in this category^[7,15]. Observations without APHE can also be categorized in this group if they are < 20 mm with ≤ 1 additional major feature, or if the observations are ≥ 20 mm with no additional major features^[7,15]. LR-4 observations can be down-categorized to LR-3 if there are ≥ 1 AF of benignity^[7,15]. Management options include repeat diagnostic imaging in 3-6 months with or without the use of an alternative modality or contrast agent and occasionally a multidisciplinary discussion may be warranted^[16,18].

Figure 6. LR-3 (Intermediate probability hepatocellular carcinoma). Axial computed tomography in a 68-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis. Arterial phase (A); and portal venous phase (B) demonstrate a 12-mm observation with nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement [arrow (A)] and no washout appearance or enhancing capsule appearance [arrow (B)]

LR-4: probably HCC

Observations in this category have a high probability but not 100% certainty of being HCC [Figure 7]^[7,15]. The probability of observations being HCC in this category approaches 75%-80%^[17,20]. Observations in this category include observations < 10 mm with nonrim APHE and ≥ 1 additional major feature, observations that are 10-19 mm with nonrim APHE and enhancing “capsule” as the only major feature, and observations ≥ 20 mm with nonrim APHE and no additional major feature. Observations without nonrim APHE can be categorized LR-4 with the size < 20 mm and ≥ 2 additional major features or with size ≥ 20 mm and ≥ 1 additional major feature^[7,15]. LR-3 observations with ≥ 1 AF favoring malignancy can be upgraded to LR-4, while LR-5 observations with ≥ 1 AF favoring benignity can be downgraded to LR-4^[9]. Management often involves multidisciplinary discussion and may include repeat or alternate imaging within three months, biopsy, or, in some patients, definitive treatment without confirmatory biopsy^[16,18].

Figure 7. LR-4 (Probable hepatocellular carcinoma). Axial computed tomography in a 68-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis. Arterial phase (A); and portal venous phase (B) demonstrate a 9-mm observation with nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement [arrow (A)], nonperipheral washout appearance [arrow (B)], and no enhancing capsule appearance

LR-5: definitely HCC

Observations in this category have 100% certainty of being HCC [Figure 8]^[7,15]. Ninety-four percent of observations in this category are HCC and 97% are malignant^[17]. Since HCC can be diagnosed based on imaging features alone and treated without the need for pathologic confirmation, observations in this category have specificity close to 100% with resulting modest sensitivity in the range of 50%-80%^[21-23]. Size ≥ 10 mm and nonrim APHE are absolute requirements to LR-5 categorization^[7,15]. Observations measuring > 20 mm with ≥ 1 additional major feature and observations measuring 10-19 mm with ≥ 2 additional major features are included in this category^[7,15]. Observations measuring 10-19 mm with either nonperipheral “washout” or threshold growth as the only additional major feature are also categorized LR-5.^[7,15]. Ancillary features cannot be used to upgrade LR-4 observations to LR-5 in order to maintain the required high specificity in this category^[7,15]. Management includes multidisciplinary discussion for staging and treatment without the need for a biopsy^[16,18]. In some patients, a tissue sample may be required for histologic grading, molecular characterization, or enrollment in clinical trials^[16,18].

Figure 8. LR-5 (Definite hepatocellular carcinoma). Axial computed tomography in a 60-year-old man with hepatitis C cirrhosis. Arterial phase (A); portal venous phase (B); and delayed phases (C) demonstrate a 21-mm observation with nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement [arrow (a)], nonperipheral washout appearance [arrow (B,C)], and enhancing capsule appearance [arrowhead (c)]

Integration into AASLD

LI-RADS has undergone several major updates since its initial release in 2011. The most recent update (LI-RADS v2018) has revised its criteria for LR-5 (definite HCC), and as a result LI-RADS has been integrated into the AASLD HCC practice guidelines and simplified^[6]. In v2018, 10-19-mm observations with nonrim APHE and nonperipheral “washout” are categorized LR-5, regardless of visualization on the antecedent surveillance ultrasound^[7,8]. Additionally, v2018 updated the definition for threshold growth to be congruent with that of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network: threshold growth is defined as ≥ 50% increase in size of a mass in ≤ 6 months^[8]. Any other size increase, including new observations and observations with ≥ 100% increase in size on studies > 6 months apart, are characterized subthreshold growth^[8].

LI-RADS: advantages for clinicians

As the diagnosis of HCC is often made based on imaging findings alone in patients at risk without the need for a biopsy confirmation, it is imperative to maintain a high level of accuracy among radiologists in both the interpretation and the reporting of liver observations^[24-26]. LI-RADS uses a strict diagnostic criterion and an algorithmic approach to determine the likelihood of focal liver observations being HCC, while maintaining substantial inter-reader reliability and a high specificity for HCC^[17,27,28]. In fact, LI-RADS inter-reader agreement on MRI compares favorably to other commonly used RAD systems, such as breast and prostate^[29].

The use of non-standardized lexicon in liver imaging reports may result in confusion, especially when communicating results to the referring clinicians^[30]. The same phrase may be used differently by different radiologists and may be interpreted differently by the referring clinicians^[31]. Corwin et al.^[31] reported that the use of radiology phrases such as “consistent with HCC” and “suspicious for HCC” were associated with a high variability in the LI-RADS categories. Conversely, use of LI-RADS terminology and reporting results in a more comprehensive, clearer, and ultimately more actionable report^[32].

Discussion

While LI-RADS offers numerous advantages for radiologists, clinicians, and patients, the system is not perfect. Unlike many other imaging-based systems for HCC diagnosis which have binary approach for diagnosis (i.e., HCC vs. all other lesions), LI-RADS utilizes ordinal categories which reflect increasing probability of HCC. Furthermore, LI-RADS is unique in that it recognizes the increased risk of non-HCC malignancies in patients with cirrhosis and provides diagnostic criteria for LR-M category. This level of detail requires greater complexity of the diagnostic criteria, and as a result LI-RADS may be intimidating for novice users or may be perceived as too cumbersome for clinical practice. However, a recent survey of radiologists and clinicians found that nearly 90% preferred the use of LI-RADS compared to other standardized reporting systems^[33].

LI-RADS has undergone several major updates since its original release in 2011. As scientific evidence accumulates, and user feedback is accrued, the criteria are refined and updated^[7]. The goal of each release is to improve accuracy and ease of use^[7]. The need for the system to be in congruence with the latest scientific knowledge is balanced against the need for a stable system^[7]. As a result, major updates to the system are planned for every 3-5 years.

Conclusion

This manuscript reviews CT/MRI LI-RADS. CT/MRI LI-RADS is a comprehensive and dynamic system with standardized terminology and an algorithmic diagnostic approach for the diagnosis and subsequent management of HCC, enabling clear communication between radiologist and clinicians. The most recent version has revised its criteria for LR-5 and simplified its definition for threshold growth, and it is now incorporated into the AASLD HCC practice guidelines.