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LI-RADS® ancillary features on CT and MRI

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Abstract

The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) uses an algorithm to assign categories that reflect the probability of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), non-HCC malignancy, or benignity. Unlike other imaging algorithms, LI-RADS utilizes ancillary features (AFs) to refine the final category. AFs in LI-RADS v2017 are divided into those favoring malignancy in general, those favoring HCC specifically, and those favoring benignity. Additionally, LI-RADS v2017 provides new rules regarding application of AFs. The purpose of this review is to discuss ancillary features included in LI-RADS v2017, the rationale for their use, potential pitfalls encountered in their interpretation, and tips on their application.

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Abbreviations

AF:

Ancillary features

AASLD:

American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases

ADC:

Apparent diffusion coefficient

APHE:

Arterial phase hyperenhancement

CT:

Computed tomography

DWI:

Diffusion-weighted imaging

ECA:

Extracellular agents

HCC:

Hepatocellular carcinoma

HBP:

Hepatobiliary phase

LI-RADS:

Liver Imaging Reporting And Data System

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

US:

Ultrasound

OPTN:

ORGAN Procurement and Transplantation Network

PVP:

Portal venous phase

TP:

Transitional phase

TVDT:

Tumor volume doubling time

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by [1] the Fonds de recherche du Québec—Santé (Career Award#26993), and New Researcher Startup Grant from the Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) to An Tang.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Victoria Chernyak & Milana Flusberg

  2. Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada

    An Tang

  3. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Demetri Papadatos

  4. Sutter Imaging (SMG)/University of California Davis (UCD), Sacramento, CA, USA

    Bijan Bijan

  5. Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA

    Yuko Kono

  6. Liver Imaging Group, Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA

    Cynthia Santillan

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  1. Victoria Chernyak
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  2. An Tang
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Correspondence to Victoria Chernyak.

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Conflict of interest

V Chernyak, M. Flusberg, D. Papadatos, B. Bijan, C. Santillan: None. A. Tang, MD, MSc: Advisory board member of Imagia Cybernetics. Y. Kono: Research Grant support: Toshiba Medical Systems Co.; Contrast agent support: Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc.; Equipment support: GE Healthcare; Equipment support: Philips Ultrasound.

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Chernyak, V., Tang, A., Flusberg, M. et al. LI-RADS® ancillary features on CT and MRI. Abdom Radiol 43, 82–100 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1220-6

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