Is there an added value of a hepatobiliary phase with gadoxetate disodium following conventional MRI with an extracellular gadolinium agent in a single imaging session for detection of primary hepatic malignancies?

Abstract

Purpose: To determine added value of hepatobiliary phase (HBP) using gadoxetate disodium compared to MRI with extracellular gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) for detection of primary hepatic malignancies in a single imaging session. Materials and methods: IRB approved this HIPAA compliant retrospective study. Within 90 days of resection or liver transplant, thirty patients underwent MRI with extracellular GBCA followed by separate injection of gadoxetate for HBP. Two sets of images were reviewed: Set #1—unenhanced and enhanced images with an extracellular GBCA and set #2—with addition of HBP. Data were analyzed in two groups, cases with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) only and cases with either HCC and/or cholangiocarcinoma. Observer diagnostic accuracy (Az), sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. Results: 14/30 subjects had HCC (46%, CI 28–66%), 2/30 (2%, CI 1–22%) cholangiocarcinoma, and 14/30 (46%, CI 28–66%) no malignancy. There was no significant change in Az value with addition of gadoxetate in the detection of HCC (range 0.84–0.97 set #1 and 0.85–0.97 set #2, p > 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the image sets for all readers. When stratified by lesion size, there was no significant difference in accuracy, sensitivity, or specificity for any reader (p > 0.05). Conclusion: When compared to extracellular GBCA, gadoxetate HBP imaging does not result in a significant difference in accuracy or sensitivity in diagnosis of HCC or cholangiocarcinoma and may result in a decrease in specificity.