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• Clinical Article •
Comparison of Gd-BOPTA and Gd-EOB-DTPA for evaluating major imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI based on LI-RADS version 2018
CHU Huiru  ZHANG Ning  SHAN Haoxin  PAN Qingqing  HOU Huijuan  GU Yuhao  XIAO Xinguang 

DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.02.013.


[Abstract] Objective To compare the differences in major imaging features and quantitative parameters of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between gadobenate dimeglumine (Gd-BOPTA) and gadoxetate disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA) on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI based on liver imaging reporting and data system version 2018 (LI-RADS v2018), and to provide evidence for the rational selection of hepatic MRI contrast agents in clinical practice.Materials and Methods This study retrospectively analyzed 94 patients who underwent Gd-BOPTA- or Gd-EOB-DTPA- enhanced MRI and were pathologically diagnosed with HCC at Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University between January 2020 and January 2025. Two experienced abdominal radiologists independently evaluated the major imaging features according to the LI-RADS v2018. Quantitative parameters, including tumor-to-liver contrast (TLC) and relative liver enhancement (RLE), were measured for each imaging phase and compared between the two contrast agent groups. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare both qualitative features and quantitative metrics between groups.Results In qualitative analysis, detection rates of nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE), nonperipheral washout, and enhancing capsule were significantly higher in the Gd-BOPTA group (P = 0.028, P = 0.004, and P < 0.001), while no significant difference was found for hepatobiliary phase hypointensity (P = 0.748). The incidence of transient severe motion artifact in the arterial phase was higher in the Gd-EOB-DTPA group (P = 0.016). The Gd-BOPTA group showed significantly higher TLC and RLE than the Gd-EOB-DTPA group in the arterial and portal venous phases. No significant TLC difference was found in the delayed/transitional phase (P = 0.931), whereas a significant difference was observed in the hepatobiliary phase (P = 0.015). For RLE, a significant difference was noted in the delayed/transitional phase (P < 0.001), but not in the hepatobiliary phase (P = 0.759).Conclusions Gd-BOPTA can demonstrate certain advantages over Gd-EOB-DTPA in terms of both the detection rates of major imaging features defined by LI-RADS v2018 and quantitative imaging parameters, suggesting a potentially higher detection rate for HCC. These findings provide supportive imaging evidence for clinical intervention and treatment planning.
[Keywords] hepatocellular carcinoma；gadobenate dimeglumine；gadoxetate disodium；liver imaging reporting and data system version 2018；magnetic resonance imaging

CHU Huiru1, 2   ZHANG Ning1   SHAN Haoxin1, 2   PAN Qingqing1   HOU Huijuan1, 2   GU Yuhao1, 2   XIAO Xinguang1*  

1 Department of Radiology, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450007, China

2 Graduate School, Henan Medical University, Xinxiang 453000, China

Corresponding author: XIAO X G, E-mail: xiaoxinguang126@126.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-10-21
Accepted  2026-01-26
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.02.013
DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2026.02.013.

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