Dynamic changes of radiological and radiomics patterns based on MRI in viable hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) change patterns of viable hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) following the initial transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of HCC patients' initial TACE from February 2015 to October 2022 across three centers and a clinical trial (NCT03113955) was conducted. The viability of residual HCCs at one and six months after TACE was evaluated using the LI-RADS Treatment Response Algorithm (LR-TRA) v2024. The radiological and radiomics features of post-TACE viable tumors between baseline and one-month, and between one- and six- months were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar's test.

Results: A total of 160 viable tumors were included in the study. Viable tumors at one month after TACE exhibited higher T1WI intensity (P =.024), lower T2WI intensity (P =.005), fewer washout features (P <.001), smaller size (P <.001), and higher ADC values (P <.001) compared to baseline HCC imaging.A significant reduction in DWI intensity (P =.002) and ADC values (P <.001) were observed in viable tumors at one month compared to those at six months. There were 82 (45.1%) radiomics features that changed significantly between the baseline and one-month. Only three radiomics features showed statistically significant difference of viable tumors between one- and six-month.

Conclusions: Compared to the baseline, viable HCCs after TACE demonstrated significant changes of imaging characteristics in a series of radiological and radiomics features at one- and six-month follow-ups.

Clinical relevance statement: Clinically diagnosing of viable HCCs using radiological methods is challenging. A comprehensive analysis of these imaging characteristics can facilitate the accurate identification of viable tumors.