Preoperative Three-Dimensional Morphological Tumor Features Predict Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Rationale and Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate microvascular invasion (MVI) using three-dimensional (3D) morphological indicators prior to surgery. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 156 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at our hospital from 2017 to 2018. Through thin -layer CT scanning and 3D reconstruction, the tumor surface inclination angles can be quantitatively analyzed to determine the surface irregularity rate (SIR), which serves as a comprehensive assessment method for tumor irregularity based on preoperative 3D morphological evaluation. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the correlation with MVI. Results: The SIR was related to MVI (OR: 10.667, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the SIR was an independent risk factor for MVI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of prediction model composed of the morphological indicator SIR was 0.831 (95% confidence interval: 0.759-0.895). Conclusion: The preoperative 3D morphological indicator SIR of a tumor is an accurate predictor of MVI, providing a valuable tool in clinical decision -making.