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LI-RADS major features: CT, MRI with extracellular agents, and MRI with hepatobiliary agents

Abdominal Radiology volume 43, pages 75–81 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) was designed to standardize the interpretation and reporting of observations seen on studies performed in patients at risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The LI-RADS algorithm guides radiologists through the process of categorizing observations on a spectrum from definitely benign to definitely HCC. Major features are the imaging features used to categorize observations as LI-RADS 3 (intermediate probability of malignancy), LIRADS 4 (probably HCC), and LI-RADS 5 (definite HCC). Major features include arterial phase hyperenhancement, washout appearance, enhancing capsule appearance, size, and threshold growth. Observations that have few major criteria are assigned lower categories than those that have several, with the goal of preserving high specificity for the LR-5 category of Definite HCC. The goal of this paper is to discuss LI-RADS major features, including definitions, rationale for selection as major features, and imaging examples.

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Author information

Affiliations

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

    Cynthia Santillan

  2. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Kathryn Fowler

  3. Department of Medicine, Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

    Yuko Kono

  4. Department of Radiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Victoria Chernyak

Authors
  1. Cynthia Santillan
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  2. Kathryn Fowler
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  3. Yuko Kono
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  4. Victoria Chernyak
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cynthia Santillan.

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This study was not supported by a grant.

Conflict of interest

Cynthia Santillan, Kathryn Fowler, and Victoria Chernyak declare that they have no conflict of interest. Yuko Kono has received grant support from Toshiba Medical Systems Co, contrast agent support from Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc, and equipment support from GE Healthcare and Philips Ultrasound.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Santillan, C., Fowler, K., Kono, Y. et al. LI-RADS major features: CT, MRI with extracellular agents, and MRI with hepatobiliary agents. Abdom Radiol 43, 75–81 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1291-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-017-1291-4

Keywords

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Liver
  • MRI
  • CT
  • LI-RADS