Predictive value of MRI texture parameters in hepatocellular carcinoma for early recurrence after TACE treatment

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To analyze the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) texture parameters in predicting the early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after TACE. Methods Retrospective analysis was used to collect the clinical data of 142 HCC patients (admitted to Hospital 363 from 2019 to 2023), all of whom were treated with TACE. They were divided into two groups according to whether there was a relapse in the early stage after treatment (relapse group and the non-recurrence group). MRI texture parameters and other clinical data were compared between the two groups, and the efficacy of MRI texture parameters in predicting early recurrence after TACE treatment was analyzed. Results The recurrence rate of 142 HCC patients was 51.41% (73/142). The arterial phase deviation [(0.45±0.12) vs. (0.25±0.05)], entropy [(5.45±0.56) vs. (4.87±0.40)], alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) > 400 ng/mL (58.90% vs. 36.23%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 40 IU/L (34.25% vs. 17.39%), and albumin ≤35 g/L (65.75% vs. 40.58%) were higher than those in the non-recurrence group, and the entropy in the venous recurrence group [(4.90±0.50) vs. (5.20±0.65)] was lower than that in the non-recurrence group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that all the above factors except ALT influencd the early recurrence after TACE, and the increase of entropy in venous phase was the protective factor (arterial phase deviation and entropy, AFP>400 ng/mL, albumin ≤35 g/L, venous phase entropy OR=1.994, 1.363, 1.782, 1.887, 0.869, all P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of MRI texture parameters combined with arterial phase skewness, arterial phase entropy and venous phase entropy predicted early recurrence after TACE in HCC patients was 0.852, which was higher than that of single detection (P<0.05). Conclusion Increased arterial skewness and entropy, and decreased entropy in venous phase are factors reflecting early recurrence after TACE treatment, and have predictive value in early recurrence.

Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Magnetic resonance imaging texture parameters, Transhepatic arterial chemoembolization, Recrudescence

Liu Wei, Wang Jie, Chen Zhixi, Liu Xianguo. Predictive value of MRI texture parameters in hepatocellular carcinoma for early recurrence after TACE treatment[J]. Chinese Hepatolgy, 2026, 31(7): 984-988.

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