Comparative diagnostic performance of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for predicting microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma: a head-to-head meta-analysis.
Eur J RadiolJul 16, 2026 (epub)
Jujun Shi, Feng Xiao, Jiahui Liao et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across five studies involving 771 patients. The combined US + MRI model demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 0.87 and specificity of 0.86, significantly outperforming both modalities alone.
Key findings
- Pooled sensitivity for US was 0.78, while for MRI it was 0.90.
- The combined US + MRI model had a pooled sensitivity of 0.87 and specificity of 0.86.
- The area under the curve (AUC) for the combined model was 0.93, significantly higher than US and MRI alone.
Why it matters
Accurate preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion in HCC is crucial for treatment planning. This study suggests that combining imaging modalities can enhance diagnostic accuracy, potentially improving patient outcomes.