Inpatient Versus Outpatient MRI? Outcomes for Hospitalized Patients With New Liver Masses

No guidelines exist to guide hospitalists on whether inpatient MRI should be pursued for incidental liver masses. Here, we compare outcomes between patients who receive an inpatient MRI and those who did not, following detection of suspicious liver masses during hospitalization. A retrospective study of hospitalized patients with new HCC from Jan 1st, 2020 through Dec 31st, 2021 was conducted. Patients for hospice or with known HCC were excluded. Out of 34 unique subjects, 22 received MRI inpatient (IP) and 12 did not (non-IP). Time to inpatient MRI averaged 2.2 days. Inpatient LOS between the two groups were similar (6 v 7 days). IP group had lower lost-to-follow-up rates (4% v 42%). Median time to cancer treatment was similar (31 v 34 days), however IP group had higher treatment rate (68% v 42%). Obtaining inpatient MRI may benefit select high-risk patients, with increased follow-up rate and treatment rate for HCC.