Table 4.
Imaging diagnosis of probable HCC
| Diagnostic criteria for probable HCC | |
|---|---|
| In nodules ≥1 cm that do not meet the major imaging features of HCC, a diagnosis of “probable” HCC can be assigned by applying ancillary imaging features: 1) nodule without APHE: at least one each of the ancillary features of group A and group B; 2) nodule with APHE but without washout appearance: at least one of the ancillary features in group A or B. | |
| These criteria should be applied only to a lesion that does not show either marked T2 hyperintensity or targetoid appearances on diffusion-weighted images or contrast-enhanced images. | |
| Ancillary imaging features of HCC | |
| Ancillary features suggesting malignancy in general (group A) | Ancillary features favoring HCC in particular (group B) |
| · Mild-to-moderate T2 hyperintensity | · Enhancing or non-enhancing capsule |
| · High signal intensity on diffusion-weighted imaging | · Mosaic architecture |
| · Threshold growth* | · Nodule-in-nodule |
HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; APHE, arterial phase hyperenhancement.
*
Threshold growth is defined as a size growth of the nodule of at least 50% in the longest dimension in ≤6 months on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging165.