Hepatocellular carcinoma: Diagnostic imaging criteria

Abstract

The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be reached noninvasively on imaging in patients at high risk as discussed in chapter “Hepatocellular carcinoma: Diagnostic Guidelines.” In this chapter, we describe the CT and MR imaging criteria more commonly used in the guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with HCC, including arterial phase hyperenhancement, washout, capsule, growth, and hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase MR imaging. The provided definitions are based on the latest version (v2018) of the liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS) document (American College of Radiology 2018, https://www.acr.org/Clinical-Resources/Reporting-and-Data-Systems/LI-RADS).