Preoperative scoring system for predicting microvascular invasion in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma using gadoxetate-enhanced MRI.

OBJECTIVES

To develop a preoperative risk scoring system to predict microvascular invasion (MVI) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) by incorporating clinical and gadoxetate-enhanced MRI features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 197 consecutive patients with ICCA who underwent preoperative gadoxetate-enhanced MRI and curative surgical resection between 2009 and 2016. The patients were randomly divided into a development set (n = 139) and a validation set (n = 58). Two radiologists independently reviewed the MRI features. A risk scoring system to predict MVI was developed using multivariable logistic regression analysis, and its diagnostic performance was validated. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed based on the MVI risk.

RESULTS

Gadoxetate-enhanced MRI features that were independently associated with MVI included tumor multiplicity (odds ratio (OR) 3.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37-8.28, p = 0.008), arterial-phase peritumoral enhancement (OR 4.47, 95% CI: 1.87-10.70, p = 0.001), and hepatobiliary-phase peritumoral hypointensity (OR 2.96, 95% CI: 1.29-6.77, p = 0.010). Using these features, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the scoring system was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.72-0.87) in the development cohort and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74-0.94) in the validation cohort. ICCA patients at high risk for MVI exhibited significantly shorter RFS and OS compared to those at low risk for MVI in both cohorts (p ≤ 0.031).

CONCLUSION

The risk scoring system based on gadoxetate-enhanced MRI features effectively predicted the risk of MVI in patients with ICCA, facilitating the preoperative identification of patients who are likely to have poorer survival outcomes following curative resection.

KEY POINTS

Question Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a well-established adverse prognostic factor in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA). However, the preoperative prediction of MVI using gadoxetate-enhanced MRI remains unexplored. Findings A risk scoring system based on gadoxetate-enhanced MRI was developed, effectively predicting MVI in ICCA and linking high MVI risk to significantly poorer survival outcomes following resection. Clinical releveance This scoring system enables the accurate assessment of MVI risk in ICCA and provides valuable prognostic insights for patients undergoing curative surgery. Its use can help clinicians develop personalized treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.