Analysis of the differential diagnostic value of CT and MRI features for multilocular hepatic cysts and hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasms

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To investigate the differential diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in multilocular hepatic cysts and hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN). Methods A total of 81 patients with multilocular hepatic cystic lesions admitted to our hospital from May 2022 to May 2024 were retrospectively included. According to pathological results, the patients were divided into a hepatic cyst group (n=49) and a hepatic MCN group (n=32). The clinical characteristics, CT, and MRI findings were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine the factors associated with hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasm. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of CT and MRI features for hepatic MCN. Results The proportions of single cystic lesions, irregular cyst wall and septa, nodular protrusions of the cyst wall or septa, solid components with thickness >10 mm, septa with both ends connected to the cyst wall and septa originating from the cyst wall in the hepatic MCN group were 59.4%, 53.1%, 43.8%, 28.1%, 90.6%, and 81.2%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the hepatic cyst group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of cystic lesions, septal type, and the relationship between septa and the cyst wall were influencing factors for hepatic MCN (P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that the combined prediction of the number of cystic lesions, septal type, and the relationship between septa and the cyst wall yielded an AUC of 0.897. Conclusion CT and MRI features have important value in the differential diagnosis of multilocular hepatic cysts and hepatic MCN. The number of cystic lesions, septal type, and the relationship between septa and the cyst wall are the main imaging factors influencing hepatic MCN, and their combined analysis can further improve the diagnostic efficacy for hepatic MCN.

Key words: CT, MRI, Multilocular hepatic cyst, Hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasm

Yang Xiaoying, Yang Na. Analysis of the differential diagnostic value of CT and MRI features for multilocular hepatic cysts and hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasms[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2026, 31(7): 1010-1014.

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