Biparametric versus multiparametric MRI for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer in a diverse, multiethnic population.

PURPOSE: There is not yet satisfactory performance data comparing multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) versus biparametric MRI (bpMRI) for detecting prostate cancer (PCa), particularly in high-risk populations. We compared both protocols for detecting overall PCa and clinically significant PCa (CS-PCa; defined as Grade Group ≥ 2) in a multiethnic urban population. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical record data from men who underwent image-guided fusion prostate biopsy (FB) between 2016 and 2021 at our institution. Patient characteristics, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores, and FB outcomes were analyzed based on MRI protocol. Multivariate mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to examine associations of bpMRI versus mpMRI for detecting overall PCa and CS-PCa in targeted lesions, among all patients and stratified by race/ethnicity. RESULTS: Overall, 566 men (44.0% Non-Hispanic Black [NHB]; 27.0% Hispanic) with 975 PI-RADS 3-5 lesions on MRI underwent FB. Of these, 312 (55%) men with 497 lesions underwent mpMRI and 254 (45%) men with 478 lesions underwent bpMRI. On multivariate analyses among all men, the odds of detecting overall PCa (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05-3.11, p = 0.031) and CS-PCa (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.16-4.00, p = 0.014) on FB were higher for lesions identified on bpMRI than mpMRI. When stratified by race/ethnicity, the odds of detecting overall PCa (OR = 1.86; p = 0.15) and CS-PCa (OR = 2.20; p = 0.06) were not statistically different between lesions detected on bpMRI or mpMRI. CONCLUSION: BpMRI has similar diagnostic performance to mpMRI in detecting overall and CS-PCa within a racially/ethnically diverse population. BpMRI can be utilized for evaluating suspected CS-PCa among NHB and Hispanic men.

Utility of pelvic CT in patients undergoing surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma: A retrospective multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency, characteristics and clinical significance of incidental pelvic findings reported on abdominopelvic CT performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in at-risk patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This two-center retrospective study received institutional review board approval with a waiver of informed consent. The radiologic reports of the CT exams performed 1/1/2010-2/28/2023 for HCC surveillance were reviewed. Exams were obtained with intravenous contrast material and included hepatic arterial and portal venous phases of the abdomen; images of the pelvis were acquired during the portal venous phase. Reported imaging findings and imaging-related recommendations either by the radiologists or the corresponding caregiver, if present, were retrospectively tabulated. The patient's medical records were reviewed to determine if there were any recommendations that were considered clinically important and culminated in any further interventions or treatments. RESULTS: 259 adults (1st center: mean age, 60 ± 11 years, 49% male and 2nd center: 56.26 ± 6.2 years, 48% male) at risk for HCC underwent 327 abdominopelvic CT exams for HCC surveillance at two centers. A total of 622 pelvic findings (mean, 2.2/ exam) were reported, including 131 bladder, 120 alimentary tract, 133 vascular, 51 gynecologic, 37 prostate, 33 lymph node, 27 inguinal, 44 peritoneal, and 46 skeletal. 52 of 622 reported findings (8.3%) were associated with actionable recommendations. 24 of the 52 actionable recommendations/clinical suggestions were implemented as follows: five complimentary imaging, ten additional laboratory tests, and nine non-imaging recommendations. Of note, only eight applied recommendations culminated in a clinical outcome, which included four urinary tract infection treatments. CONCLUSION: Pelvic CT findings were associated with a clinical benefit to the patient in 1.3% of exams. These results suggest that pelvic imaging should be omitted from CT-based HCC surveillance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Without compromising valuable information, patients undergoing HCC surveillance-CT may not require additional pelvic coverage.

Performance of LI-RADS category 5 vs combined categories 4 and 5: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS, LR) category 5 has high specificity and modest sensitivity for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of LR-5 vs combined LR-4 and LR-5 (LR-4/5) for HCC diagnosis. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases through January 03, 2023 were searched for studies reporting the performance of LR-5 and combined LR-4/5 for HCC diagnosis, using CT/MRI LI-RADS version 2014, 2017, or 2018. A bivariate random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled per-observation diagnostic performance. Subgroup analysis was performed based on imaging modalities and type of MRI contrast material. RESULTS: Sixty-nine studies (15,108 observations, 9928 (65.7%) HCCs) were included. Compared to LR-5, combined LR-4/5 showed significantly higher pooled sensitivity (83.0% (95% CI [80.3-85.8%]) vs 65.7% (95% CI [62.4-69.1%]); p < 0.001), lower pooled specificity (75.0% (95% CI [70.5-79.6%]) vs 91.7% (95% CI [90.2-93.1%]); p < 0.001), lower pooled positive likelihood ratio (3.60 (95% CI [3.06-4.23]) vs 6.18 (95% CI [5.35-7.14]); p < 0.001), and lower pooled negative likelihood ratio (0.22 (95% CI [0.19-0.25]) vs 0.38 (95% CI [0.35-0.41]) vs; p < 0.001). Similar results were seen in all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis showed that combining LR-4 and LR-5 would increase sensitivity but decrease specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio. These findings may inform management guidelines and individualized management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: This meta-analysis estimated the magnitude of changes in the sensitivity and specificity of imaging criteria when LI-RADS categories 4 and 5 were combined; these findings can inform management guidelines and individualized management. KEY POINTS: There is no single worldwide reporting system for liver imaging, partly due to regional needs. Combining LI-RADS categories 4 and 5 increased sensitivity and decreased specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Changes in the sensitivity and specificity of imaging criteria can inform management guidelines and individualized management.

Imaging features of intra-abdominal and intra-pelvic causes of hirsutism.

Hirsutism is a relatively common disorder which affects approximately 5% to 15% of women. It is defined by excessive growth of terminal hair in women, which primarily affects areas dependent on androgens, such as the face, abdomen, buttocks, and thighs. Hirsutism can be caused by a variety of etiologies, which are most often not lifethreatening. However, in some cases, hirsutism can be an indicator of more serious underlying pathology, such as a neoplasm, which may require further elucidation with imaging. Within the abdomen and pelvis, adrenal and ovarian pathologies are the primary consideration. The goal of this manuscript is to review the etiologies and imaging features of various intra-abdominal and intra-pelvic causes of hirsutism.

MRI imaging features for predicting macrotrabecular-massive subtype hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To identify significant MRI features associated with macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma (MTM-HCC), and to assess the distribution of Liver Imaging Radiology and Data System (LI-RADS, LR) category assignments. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE were searched up to March 28, 2023. Random-effects model was constructed to calculate pooled diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each MRI feature for differentiating MTM-HCC from NMTM-HCC. The pooled proportions of LI-RADS category assignments in MTM-HCC and NMTM-HCC were compared using z-test. RESULTS: Ten studies included 1978 patients with 2031 HCCs (426 (20.9%) MTM-HCC and 1605 (79.1%) NMTM-HCC). Six MRI features showed significant association with MTM-HCC: tumor in vein (TIV) (DOR = 2.4 [95% CI, 1.6-3.5]), rim arterial phase hyperenhancement (DOR =2.6 [95% CI, 1.4-5.0]), corona enhancement (DOR = 2.6 [95% CI, 1.4-4.5]), intratumoral arteries (DOR = 2.6 [95% CI, 1.1-6.3]), peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase (DOR = 2.2 [95% CI, 1.5-3.3]), and necrosis (DOR = 4.2 [95% CI, 2.0-8.5]). The pooled proportions of LI-RADS categories in MTM-HCC were LR-3, 0% [95% CI, 0-2%]; LR-4, 11% [95% CI, 6-16%]; LR-5, 63% [95% CI, 55-71%]; LR-M, 12% [95% CI, 6-19%]; and LR-TIV, 13% [95% CI, 6-22%]. In NMTM-HCC, the pooled proportions of LI-RADS categories were LR-3, 1% [95% CI, 0-2%]; LR-4, 8% [95% CI, 3-15%]; LR-5, 77% [95% CI, 71-82%]; LR-M, 5% [95% CI, 3-7%]; and LR-TIV, 6% [95% CI, 2-11%]. MTM-HCC had significantly lower proportion of LR-5 and higher proportion of LR-M and LR-TIV categories. CONCLUSIONS: Six MRI features showed significant association with MTM-HCC. Additionally, compared to NMTM-HCC, MTM-HCC are more likely to be categorized LR-M and LR-TIV and less likely to be categorized LR-5. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Several MR imaging features can suggest macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma subtype, which can assist in guiding treatment plans and identifying potential candidates for clinical trials of new treatment strategies. KEY POINTS: • Macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma is a subtype of HCC characterized by its aggressive nature and unfavorable prognosis. • Tumor in vein, rim arterial phase hyperenhancement, corona enhancement, intratumoral arteries, peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase, and necrosis on MRI are indicative of macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma. • Various MRI characteristics can be utilized for the diagnosis of the macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma subtype. This can prove beneficial in guiding treatment decisions and identifying potential candidates for clinical trials involving novel treatment approaches.

LI-RADS CT and MRI Ancillary Feature Association with Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Malignancy: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Background The independent contribution of each Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) CT or MRI ancillary feature (AF) has not been established. Purpose To evaluate the association of LI-RADS AFs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and malignancy while adjusting for LI-RADS major features through an individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis. Materials and Methods Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus were searched from January 2014 to January 2022 for studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MRI for HCC using LI-RADS version 2014, 2017, or 2018. Using a one-step approach, IPD across studies were pooled. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were derived from multivariable logistic regression models of each AF combined with major features except threshold growth (excluded because of infrequent reporting). Liver observation clustering was addressed at the study and participant levels through random intercepts. Risk of bias was assessed using a composite reference standard and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. Results Twenty studies comprising 3091 observations (2456 adult participants; mean age, 59 years ± 11 [SD]; 1849 [75.3%] men) were included. In total, 89% (eight of nine) of AFs favoring malignancy were associated with malignancy and/or HCC, 80% (four of five) of AFs favoring HCC were associated with HCC, and 57% (four of seven) of AFs favoring benignity were negatively associated with HCC and/or malignancy. Nonenhancing capsule (OR = 3.50 [95% CI: 1.53, 8.01]) had the strongest association with HCC. Diffusion restriction (OR = 14.45 [95% CI: 9.82, 21.27]) and mild-moderate T2 hyperintensity (OR = 10.18 [95% CI: 7.17, 14.44]) had the strongest association with malignancy. The strongest negative associations with HCC were parallels blood pool enhancement (OR = 0.07 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.49]) and marked T2 hyperintensity (OR = 0.18 [95% CI: 0.07, 0.45]). Seventeen studies (85%) had a high risk of bias. Conclusion Most LI-RADS AFs were independently associated with HCC, malignancy, or benignity as intended when adjusting for major features. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Crivellaro in this issue.

Incident fractures of the distal radius: Dual-energy CT-derived metrics for opportunistic risk stratification.

BACKGROUND: Dual-energy CT (DECT)-derived bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal radius and other CT-derived metrics related to bone health have been suggested for opportunistic osteoporosis screening and risk evaluation for sustaining distal radius fractures (DRFs). METHODS: The distal radius of patients who underwent DECT between 01/2016 and 08/2021 was retrospectively analyzed. Cortical Hounsfield Unit (HU), trabecular HU, cortical thickness, and DECT-based BMD were acquired from a non-fractured, metaphyseal area in all examinations. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to determine the area under the curve (AUC) values for predicting DRFs based on DECT-derived BMD, HU values, and cortical thickness. Logistic regression models were then employed to assess the associations of these parameters with the occurrence of DRFs. RESULTS: In this study, 263 patients (median age: 52 years; interquartile range: 36-64; 132 women; 192 fractures) were included. ROC curve analysis revealed a higher area under the curve (AUC) value for DECT-derived BMD compared to cortical HU, trabecular HU, and cortical thickness (0.91 vs. 0.61, 0.64, and 0.69, respectively; p <.001). Logistic regression models confirmed the association between lower DECT-derived BMD and the occurrence of DRFs (Odds Ratio, 0.83; p <.001); however, no influence was observed for cortical HU, trabecular HU, or cortical thickness. CONCLUSIONS: DECT can be used to assess the BMD of the distal radius without dedicated equipment such as calibration phantoms to increase the detection rates of osteoporosis and stratify the individual risk to sustain DRFs. In contrast, assessing HU-based values and cortical thickness does not provide clinical benefit.

Are dilution, slow injection and care bolus technique the causal solution to mitigating arterial-phase artifacts on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI? A large-cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Arterial-phase artifacts are gadoxetic acid (GA)-enhanced MRI's major drawback, ranging from 5 to 39%. We evaluate the effect of dilution and slow injection of GA using automated fluoroscopic triggering on liver MRI arterial-phase (AP) acquisition timing, artifact frequency, and lesion visibility. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Saline-diluted 1:1 GA was injected at 1 ml/s into 1413 patients for 3 T liver MRI. Initially, one senior abdominal radiologist, i.e., principal investigator (PI), assessed all MR exams and compared them to previous and follow-up images, as well as the radiology report on record, determining the standard of reference for lesion detection and characterization. Then, three other readers independently evaluated the AP images for artifact type (truncation (TA), transient severe motion (TSM) or mixed), artifact severity (on a 5-point scale), acquisition timing (on a 4-point scale) and visibility (on a 5-point scale) of hypervascular lesions ≥ 5 mm, selected by the PI. Artifact score ≥ 4 and artifact score ≤ 3 were considered significant and non-significant artifacts, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 1413 exams, diagnostic-quality arterial-phase images included 1100 (77.8%) without artifacts, 220 (15.6%) with minimal, and 77 (5.4%) with moderate artifacts. Only 16 exams (1.1%) had significant artifacts, 13 (0.9%) with severe artifacts (score 4), and three (0.2%) non-diagnostic artifacts (score 5). AP acquisition timing was optimal in 1369 (96.8%) exams. Of the 449 AP hypervascular lesions, 432 (96.2%) were detected. CONCLUSION: Combined dilution and slow injection of GA with MR results in well-timed arterial-phase images in 96.8% and a reduction of exams with significant artifacts to 1.1%. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Hypervascular lesions, in particular HCC detection, hinge on arterial-phase hyperenhancement, making well-timed, artifact-free arterial-phase images a prerequisite for accurate diagnosis. Saline dilution 1:1, slow injection (1 ml/s), and automated bolus triggering reduce artifacts and optimize acquisition timing. KEY POINTS: • There was substantial agreement among the three readers regarding the presence and type of arterial-phase (AP) artifacts, acquisition timing, and lesion visibility. • Impaired AP hypervascular lesion visibility occurred in 17 (3.8%) cases; in eight lesions due to mistiming and in nine lesions due to significant artifacts. • When AP timing was suboptimal, it was too late in 40 exams (3%) and too early in 4 exams (0.2%) of exams.

Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2018 category 5 for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma: an updated meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We performed an updated meta-analysis to determine the diagnostic performance of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS, LR) 5 category for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using LI-RADS version 2018 (v2018), and to evaluate differences by imaging modalities and type of MRI contrast material. METHODS: The MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for studies reporting the performance of LR-5 using v2018 for diagnosing HCC. A bivariate random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled per-observation sensitivity and specificity. Subgroup analysis was performed based on imaging modalities and type of MRI contrast material. RESULTS: Forty-eight studies qualified for the meta-analysis, comprising 9031 patients, 10,547 observations, and 7216 HCCs. The pooled per-observation sensitivity and specificity of LR-5 for diagnosing HCC were 66% (95% CI, 61-70%) and 91% (95% CI, 89-93%), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, MRI with extracellular agent (ECA-MRI) showed significantly higher pooled sensitivity (77% [95% CI, 70-82%]) than CT (66% [95% CI, 58-73%]; p = 0.023) or MRI with gadoxetate (Gx-MRI) (65% [95% CI, 60-70%]; p = 0.001), but there was no significant difference between ECA-MRI and MRI with gadobenate (gadobenate-MRI) (73% [95% CI, 61-82%]; p = 0.495). Pooled specificities were 88% (95% CI, 80-93%) for CT, 92% (95% CI, 86-95%) for ECA-MRI, 93% (95% CI, 91-95%) for Gx-MRI, and 91% (95% CI, 84-95%) for gadobenate-MRI without significant differences (p = 0.084-0.803). CONCLUSIONS: LI-RADS v2018 LR-5 provides high specificity for HCC diagnosis regardless of modality or contrast material, while ECA-MRI showed higher sensitivity than CT or Gx-MRI. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Refinement of the criteria for improving sensitivity while maintaining high specificity of LR-5 for HCC diagnosis may be an essential future direction. KEY POINTS: • The pooled per-observation sensitivity and specificity of LR-5 for diagnosing HCC using LI-RADSv2018 were 66% and 91%, respectively. • ECA-MRI showed higher sensitivity than CT (77% vs 66%, p = 0.023) or Gx-MRI (77% vs 65%, p = 0.001). • LI-RADS v2018 LR-5 provides high specificity (88-93%) for HCC diagnosis regardless of modality or contrast material type.

Up-to-Date Role of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This article overviews Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS), a system that standardizes techniques, interpretation and reporting of imaging studies done for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance, diagnosis, and locoregional treatment response assessment. LI-RADS includes 4 algorithms, each of which defines ordinal categories reflecting probability of the assessed outcome. The categories, in turn, guide patient management. The LI-RADS diagnostic algorithms provide diagnostic criteria for the entire spectrum of lesions found in at-risk patients. In addition, the use of LI-RADS in clinical care improves clarity of communication between radiologists and clinicians and may improve the performance of inexperienced users to the levels of expert liver imagers.

Development of a Model including MRI Features for Predicting Advanced-stage Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Liver Resection.

Background Identifying patients at high risk for advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after liver resection may improve patient survival. Purpose To develop a model including MRI features for predicting postoperative advanced-stage HCC recurrence. Materials and Methods This single-center, retrospective study includes consecutive adult patients who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI and curative-intent resection for early- to intermediate-stage HCC (from December 2011 to April 2021). Three radiologists evaluated 52 qualitative features on MRI scans. In the training set, Fine-Gray proportional subdistribution hazard analysis was performed to identify clinical, laboratory, imaging, pathologic, and surgical variables to include in the predictive model. In the test set, the concordance index (C-index) was computed to compare the developed model with current staging systems. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Results The study included 532 patients (median age, 54 years; IQR, 46-62 years; 465 male patients), 302 patients from the training set (median age, 54 years; IQR, 46-63 years; 265 male patients), and 128 patients from the test set (median age, 53 years; IQR, 46-63 years; 108 male patients). Advanced-stage recurrence was observed in 38 of 302 (12.6%) and 15 of 128 (11.7%) of patients from the training and test sets, respectively. Serum neutrophil count (109/L), tumor size (in centimeters), and arterial phase hyperenhancement proportion on MRI scans were associated with advanced-stage recurrence (subdistribution hazard ratio range, 1.16-3.83; 95% CI: 1.02, 7.52; P value range, <.001 to .02) and included in the predictive model. The model showed better test set prediction for advanced-stage recurrence than four staging systems (2-year C-indexes, 0.82 [95% CI: 0.74, 0.91] vs 0.63-0.68 [95% CI: 0.52, 0.82]; P value range, .001-.03). Patients at high risk for HCC recurrence (model score, ≥15 points) showed increased advanced-stage recurrence and worse all-stage recurrence-free survival (RFS), advanced-stage RFS, and overall survival than patients at low risk for HCC recurrence (P value range, <.001 to .02). Conclusion A model combining serum neutrophil count, tumor size, and arterial phase hyperenhancement proportion predicted advanced-stage HCC recurrence better than current staging systems and may identify patients at high risk. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license. Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Tsai and Mellnick in this issue.

Ethiodized oil as an imaging biomarker after conventional transarterial chemoembolization.

Conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) utilizing ethiodized oil as a chemotherapy carrier has become a standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has been adopted as a bridging and downstaging therapy for liver transplantation. Water-in-oil emulsion made up of ethiodized oil and chemotherapy solution is retained in tumor vasculature resulting in high tissue drug concentration and low systemic chemotherapy doses. The density and distribution pattern of ethiodized oil within the tumor on post-treatment imaging are predictive of the extent of tumor necrosis and duration of response to treatment. This review describes the multiple roles of ethiodized oil, particularly in its role as a biomarker of tumor response to cTACE. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With the increasing complexity of locoregional therapy options, including the use of combination therapies, treatment response assessment has become challenging; Ethiodized oil deposition patterns can serve as an imaging biomarker for the prediction of treatment response, and perhaps predict post-treatment prognosis. KEY POINTS: • Treatment response assessment after locoregional therapy to hepatocellular carcinoma is fraught with multiple challenges given the varied post-treatment imaging appearance. • Ethiodized oil is unique in that its' radiopacity can serve as an imaging biomarker to help predict treatment response. • The pattern of deposition of ethiodozed oil has served as a mechanism to detect portions of tumor that are undertreated and can serve as an adjunct to enhancement in order to improve management in patients treated with intraarterial embolization with ethiodized oil.

Prognostic MRI features to predict postresection survivals for very early to intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Contrast-enhanced MRI can provide individualized prognostic information for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate the value of MRI features to predict early (≤ 2 years)/late (> 2 years) recurrence-free survival (E-RFS and L-RFS, respectively) and overall survival (OS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive adult patients at a tertiary academic center who received curative-intent liver resection for very early to intermediate stage HCC and underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI were retrospectively enrolled from March 2011 to April 2021. Three masked radiologists independently assessed 54 MRI features. Uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations of imaging features with E-RFS, L-RFS, and OS. RESULTS: This study included 600 patients (median age, 53 years; 526 men). During a median follow-up of 55.3 months, 51% of patients experienced recurrence (early recurrence: 66%; late recurrence: 34%), and 17% died. Tumor size, multiple tumors, rim arterial phase hyperenhancement, iron sparing in solid mass, tumor growth pattern, and gastroesophageal varices were associated with E-RFS and OS (largest p = .02). Nonperipheral washout (p = .006), markedly low apparent diffusion coefficient value (p = .02), intratumoral arteries (p = .01), and width of the main portal vein (p = .03) were associated with E-RFS but not with L-RFS or OS, while the VICT2 trait was specifically associated with OS (p = .02). Multiple tumors (p = .048) and radiologically-evident cirrhosis (p < .001) were the only predictors for L-RFS. CONCLUSION: Twelve visually-assessed MRI features predicted postoperative E-RFS (≤ 2 years), L-RFS (> 2 years), and OS for very early to intermediate-stage HCCs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The prognostic MRI features may help inform personalized surgical planning, neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapies, and postoperative surveillance, thus may be included in future prognostic models. KEY POINTS: • Tumor size, multiple tumors, rim arterial phase hyperenhancement, iron sparing, tumor growth pattern, and gastroesophageal varices predicted both recurrence-free survival within 2 years and overall survival. • Nonperipheral washout, markedly low apparent diffusion coefficient value, intratumoral arteries, and width of the main portal vein specifically predicted recurrence-free survival within 2 years, while the VICT2 trait specifically predicted overall survival. • Multiple tumors and radiologically-evident cirrhosis were the only predictors for recurrence-free survival beyond 2 years.