Comparison of MRI and CT Scan for the Detection of Liver Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To compare the value of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of primary carcinoma of the liver. Method: A retrospective analysis was performed on 132 cases of suspected primary liver carcinoma. CT and MRI diagnosis were performed and pathological results were compared to determine the diagnostic value of the two methods. Results: 96 cases were diagnosed as primary liver carcinoma by pathological examination after operation. The total detection rate of 96 lesions through MRI was 93.75%, while 84.38% through CT (P<0.05). For lesions with a ＜3 cm diameter, the CT detection rates of lesions in the plain, arterial, portal, and equilibrium phases were 52.94%, 73.53%, 58.82%, and 58.82% respectively. For lesions with a diameter ≥ 3 cm, the CT detection rate was 80.65 %, 93.55%, 85. 48%, 83.87% (P<0.05). For lesions with <3cm diameter, the MRI detection rates of lesions in the T1WI, T2WI, LAVA arterial phase, LAVA portal phase, and LAVA balance phase were 61.76%, 76.47%, 88.24%, 79.41% and 52.94% respectively, and for lesions with ≥3cm diameter. The detection rates of MRI were 77.42%, 87.10%, 91.94%, 90.32%, and 90.32%, and the detection rate of lesions with ≥3cm diameter in the balance phase of LAVA was higher (P<0.05). Taking pathological results as the gold standard, the sensitivity of diagnosing primary liver carcinoma through CT is 81.25%, specificity is 75.00%, accuracy is 79.55%, positive predictive value is 89.66%, negative predictive value is 60.00%, and the MRI is 93.75. %, 86.11%, 91.67%, 94.74% and 83.78% respectively. Conclusion: Both CT and MRI have diagnostic value for primary liver carcinoma. Comparison showed that MRI has a higher diagnostic value and higher detection rate for small lesions. However, the actual process of diagnosis can’t rely solely on MRI, and comprehensive combination of diagnosis methods will be effectual.