Diagnosing non-hepatocellular carcinoma malignancies on CT/MRI and contrast enhanced ultrasound: the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System approach

Abstract

The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) provides a stepwise algorithmic approach that is proven to be highly accurate in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients at risk. An essential and early step in the algorithm is the diagnosis of malignancies other than HCC, such as cholangiocarcinoma and combined tumors, by application of LR-M features and criteria. The LR-M category captures most non-HCC malignancies and some atypical HCCs. The exclusion of non-HCC malignancies is important for maintaining the high specificity of the LR-5, definite HCC category. This review provides an overview of the approach to diagnosing non-HCC malignancies using LI-RADS CT/MRI and contrast enhanced ultrasound algorithms.