Transarterial Chemoembolization Of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Can Early Diffusion Weighted Imaging Predict Response?

Gulzar asma; Shera tahleel; Shah omair; Choh naseer; Gojwari Tariq; Bhat mudaisr; Maqsood shadab

doi:10.18502/bccr.v13i1.8834

Gulzar asma MD Department of Radiology, SKIMS SOURA , J&K,INDIA
Shera tahleel MD (Assistant professor),Department of Radiology, SKIMS SOURA , J&K,INDIA
Shah omair MD (Senior Resident ),Department of Radiology, SKIMS SOURA , J&K,INDIA
Choh naseer MD (Additional professor), Department of Radiology, SKIMS SOURA , J&K,INDIA
Gojwari Tariq MD (Professor), Department of Radiology, SKIMS SOURA , J&K,INDIA
Bhat mudaisr MD (Assistant Professor), Department of Radiology, SKIMS SOURA , J&K,INDIA
Maqsood shadab MD (Assistant Professor), Department of Radiology, SKIMS SOURA , J&K,INDIA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/bccr.v13i1.8834

Keywords: Transarterial Chemoembolization, Magnetic Resonance Imaging., Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Diffusion Weighted Imaging, Apparent Diffusion Coefficient.

Abstract

PURPOSE: We evaluated the role of early diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting response to TACE in patients with HCC and compare the results with contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: 24 patients with documented HCC were taken up for TACE after a pre-procedural contrast CT and MRI. Post procedural DWI was taken on day 5-7 and the mean ADC values were documented and compared to pre procedural values. The change in ADC values was grouped into 4 categories: group 1- <25%, group 2 26-50%, group 3- 51-75% and group 4- >75%. The increase in ADC values signifying response was correlated with 5 week CEMRI scan (which has been the traditional gold standard for response evaluation) and a threshold ADC increase signifying response in majority of the cases was calculated.

Results: The mean ADC of the lesions changed from 1.21× 10-3 (pre TACE) to 2.02× 10-3 mm2/sec (post TACE) [p<0.001]. Taking CE MRI as gold standard, DWI imaging had a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 94.7% with a positive predictive value of 80%, negative predictive value of 94.7% and overall accuracy of 91.7%. Complete response was seen in19 (79%) and incomplete in 5 (21%) patients in our study. The change in ADC was significantly higher in responders (884.15 ± 161.60) as compared to non responders (564.80 ± 221.05) [p =0.001].

Conclusion: Early DWI after TACE can predict response of a HCC lesion to chemoembolization. The change in ADC values can earmark responders from non-responders. Early DWI results are concordant with CEMRI results in most of the cases. DWI can act as a substitute to CEMRI when contrast administration is not advised.