Abstract
Objective
To explore the factors that influence the contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) classification of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-ICC).
Methods
Between September 2014 to July 2020, the CEUS features of 58 patients with pathologically confirmed cHCC-ICC were retrospectively evaluated and assigned according to the CEUS LI-RADS (version 2017). The pathological characteristics of nodules categorizing as different CEUS LI-RADS categories were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore potential factors that may influence the CEUS LI-RADS classification of cHCC-ICC.
Results
According to CEUS LI-RADS, 32.8% (19/58), 63.8% (37/58), and 3.4% (2/58) were categorized as LR-5, LR-M, and LR-TIV, respectively. There was significant difference between the LR-M and LR-5 groups with regard to the pathological grade, nodule size, and HCC/ICC-component ratio of cHCC-ICC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified tumor size and the relative proportions of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICC) components within cHCC-ICC as the independent influencing factors.
Conclusion
Tumor size and the relative proportion of HCC and ICC components within the nodule had a significant impact on the CEUS LI-RADS classification of cHCC-ICC.