Clinicopathologic and Prognostic Differences Between LI-RADS M Targetoid and LI-RADS M Nontargetoid Observations: A...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System M (LR-M) lesions can be classified as targetoid or nontargetoid.
• The clinical, pathological, and prognostic distinctions between these two lesion types are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical, pathological, and prognostic characteristics of targetoid versus nontargetoid LR-M lesions using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 119 LR-M observations in 119 patients with at least two years of follow-up.
• Lesions were categorized as targetoid or nontargetoid by three radiologists.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression with IPTW.

Main Results:

• Nontargetoid lesions were associated with significantly higher serum AFP, larger size, and more frequent cirrhosis, extrahepatic disease, and malignancy.
• The nontargetoid group exhibited higher mortality and progression rates, with shorter overall survival and time-to-progression.
• Multivariable analysis revealed targetoid morphology as a significant predictor of improved overall survival (HR=0.28) and progression-free survival (HR=0.36).

Conclusions:

• Targetoid morphology in LR-M lesions is a significant indicator of improved patient survival and delayed disease progression.
• This imaging feature holds promise as a prognostic biomarker in liver disease management.