Comparison of abbreviated and complete MRI protocols for treatment response assessment of colorectal liver metastases Journal Article


Authors: El Homsi, M.; Bou Ayache, J.; Fernandes, M. C.; Horvat, N.; Kim, T. H.; LaGratta, M.; Levin, G.; Rosen, A.; Gangai, N.; Lobaugh, S.; Zheng, J.; Capanu, M.; Do, R. K. G.
Article Title: Comparison of abbreviated and complete MRI protocols for treatment response assessment of colorectal liver metastases
Abstract: Objective: To compare abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to complete MRI for treatment response assessment of colorectal liver metastases. Material and methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases between January 1, 2012, and December 3, 2021, who were undergoing chemotherapy and who had at least one follow-up gadoxetic-enhanced MRI. For each patient, two MRIs (baseline MRI and follow-up MRI) were randomly selected. Follow-up MRIs were separated into two sets of images: complete MRIs, including all imaging sequences, and abbreviated MRIs, including coronal and axial hepatobiliary phase imaging, axial diffusion-weighted imaging, and coronal T2-weighted imaging. Seven radiologists reviewed the two sets of images, with a month’s break in between, assessing Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 category and the presence of new lesions, with each reader assigned 80–91 patients. Inter-reader agreement was assessed using Fleiss’ kappa (κ). Results: One-hundred ninety-five patients (mean age 54.4 +/− 12.1 years, 135 men) were evaluated. Intra-reader agreement between abbreviated and complete MRI was substantial for the RECIST 1.1 category (κ, 0.66–0.89) and the detection of new lesions (κ, 0.63–0.81). Inter-reader agreement was substantial for RECIST 1.1 category using abbreviated MRI and complete MRI (κ, 0.71 (95% CI: 0.65–0.78) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.61–0.75)), and moderate for the presence of new lesions using abbreviated MRI and complete MRI (κ, 0.56 (95% CI: 0.41–0.69) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.35–0.65)). Conclusion: Abbreviated MRI may serve as an alternative to complete MRI for the follow-up of patients with colorectal liver metastases. Key Points: Question Abbreviated MRI is a time-saving and cost-effective exam, but only one study has compared it with complete MRI for treatment response assessment of colorectal liver metastases. Findings In our study, abbreviated follow-up MRI achieved substantial inter-reader agreement for the RECIST 1.1 category and moderate inter-reader agreement for the presence of new lesions. Clinical relevance Abbreviated liver MRIs are adequate substitutes for complete liver MRIs for colorectal liver metastases in the follow-up setting when the goal is to assess treatment response, resulting in shorter examination times and potential reductions in costs. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Society of Radiology 2024.
Keywords: adult; treatment outcome; aged; middle aged; retrospective studies; liver neoplasms; comparative study; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; magnetic resonance imaging; reproducibility; reproducibility of results; pathology; diagnostic imaging; retrospective study; colorectal neoplasms; colorectal tumor; liver tumor; contrast medium; contrast media; drug therapy; gadolinium pentetate; gadolinium dtpa; neoplasm metastases; procedures; response evaluation criteria in solid tumors; humans; human; male; female
Journal Title: European Radiology
Volume: 35
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0938-7994
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2025-06-01
Start Page: 3450
End Page: 3459
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-024-11277-3
PUBMED: 39658684
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledgedin PubMed and PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Maria El Homsi -- Source: Scopus
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