Combined SPIO-gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging in cirrhotic patients: negative predictive value and role in screening for hepatocellular carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
The objective of our study was to assess the negative predictive value (NPV) of double-contrast MRI (DC-MRI) with SPIO and gadolinium, and to determine the role of DC-MRI in screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients.


METHODS
We retrospectively included 160 DC-MRI scans done as second-line investigations in 119 patients with cirrhosis over a 25-month period. Two radiologists independently classified the MRI scans as strongly suggesting HCC (HCC Group), showing benign nodules (benign nodules Group), showing no nodules (no-nodules Group) or indeterminate; they assigned a diagnostic confidence score (DCS) using a 0-10 scale. The reference standard was histology or results of follow-up investigations. Mean follow-up was 16.9 months (12-28 months).


RESULTS
The radiologists disagreed for two scans (kappa = 0.98). Of 112 scans [benign nodules Group (n = 32) and no-nodules Group (n = 80)], 11 were excluded (3 patients lost to follow-up and 8 who died with no known cancer) while a HCC was detected during follow-up in 8 patients, yielding a NPV of 92% (93/101) (95% confidence interval, 85%-97%). The DCS was in the 4-6 range (indicating uncertainty) for only 6 (3.75%) scans.


CONCLUSIONS
DC-MRI is reliable and reproducible. Its high NPV suggests a role as a second-line investigation after ultrasonography, for HCC screening.
Guiu
Boris
B
Radiology Departement, CHU le Bocage, University Hospital of Dijon, Boulevard Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, Dijon, 21000, France. boris.guiu@chu-dijon.fr
Loffroy
Romaric
R
Ben Salem
Douraied
D
Lepage
Come
C
Guiu
Séverine
S
Aho
Serge
S
Jouve
Jean-Louis
JL
Krausé
Denis
D
Cercueil
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010087:Oxides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D003287:Contrast Media; D003911:Dextrans; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles; D010087:Oxides; C064925:gadodiamide; D007501:Iron; C065507:ferumoxides; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D052203:Ferrosoferric Oxide