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Implementation of LI-RADS into a radiological practice

Abdominal Radiology volume 43, pages 179–184 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Since its introduction in 2011, Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) has become an increasingly utilized method for radiologists to categorize lesions for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients at risk (American College of Radiology, www.acr.org/quality-safety/resources/lirads 2016). This overview article presents insight into methods of incorporating LI-RADS into an existing clinical practice, highlighting concrete ways to establish this system as a mainstay in any radiologist’s evidence-based armamentarium. We will focus on the importance of standardization to improve the value of our reporting. We will also discuss specific opportunities to favor adoption of LI-RADS including building a community of users composed of radiologists and referring physicians, forming a strategic vision, enlisting a team leader, overcoming barriers to adoption, communicating successes, integrating the system into the departmental culture, and learning from mistakes. The 2017 version of LI-RADS is the most recent update and is based on the most current medical imaging evidence. The details of these updates are described in other articles in this journal’s edition. Efforts should be made to increase adherence and to enhance standardized use of LI-RADS internationally. Ultimately, the objective of LI-RADS is to prioritize patient care and optimize medical outcomes.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Stefan T. Siedlikowski & Ania Z. Kielar

  2. Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada

    Ania Z. Kielar

  3. Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Barrie, ON, Canada

    Ania Z. Kielar

  4. Davis Medical Centre, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Eleanor L. Ormsby

  5. Sutter Health, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Bijan Bijan

  6. California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Christopher Kagay

Authors
  1. Stefan T. Siedlikowski
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  2. Ania Z. Kielar
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  3. Eleanor L. Ormsby
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  4. Bijan Bijan
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  5. Christopher Kagay
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ania Z. Kielar.

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Funding

There is no funding for this study.

Conflicts of interest

Ania Kielar is receiving a grant from General Electric for research related to liver MRI. It is not directly related to the topic of this review article. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical approval

This review article is exempt from IRB review. This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Siedlikowski, S.T., Kielar, A.Z., Ormsby, E.L. et al. Implementation of LI-RADS into a radiological practice. Abdom Radiol 43, 179–184 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1219-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1219-z

Keywords

  • LI-RADS
  • Standardization
  • Implementation