Clinical and imaging features preoperative evaluation of histological grade and microvascular infiltration of hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Background: To predict the histological grade and microvascular invasion (MVI) in patients with HCC.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 175 patients who underwent MRI enhancement scanning (from September 2016.9 to October 2020). They were divided into MVI positive, MVI negative, Grade-high and Grade-low groups.

Results: The AFP of 175 HCC patients distributed in MVI positive and negative groups, Grade-low and Grade-high groups were statistically significant (P = 0.002 and 0.03, respectively). Multiple HCC lesions were more common in MVI positive and Grade-high groups. Correspondingly, more single lesions were found in MVI negative and Grade-low groups (P = 0.005 and 0.019, respectively). Capsule on MRI was more common in MVI negative and Grade-high groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.02 and 0.011, respectively). There were statistical differences in the distribution of three MRI signs: artistic rim enhancement, artistic peripheral enhancement, and tumor margin between MVI positive and MVI negative groups (P = 0.001, < 0.001, and < 0.001, respectively). Tumor hypointensity on HBP was significantly different between MVI positive and negative groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Our research shows that preoperative enhanced imaging can be used to predict MVI and tumor differentiation grade of HCC. The prognosis of MVI-negative group was better than that of MVI-positive group.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma; Histological grade; Magnetic resonance imaging; Microvascular.