Preoperative combi-elastography for the prediction of early recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose: To estimate the prognostic value of preoperative combi-elastography for early recurrence (ER) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical resection. Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy from January to August 2019 were included. The combined elastography (ARIETTA 850, Hitachi Healthcare) was used for real-time tissue elastography and shear wave measurement analysis. Six elastography related indicators were calculated. The patients were randomly divided into a training and a validation group in a 7:3 ratio and prediction model was assessed about discrimination capability by using area under the receiver operating curve. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic value of clinicopathological factors, laboratory tests, and elastography for HCC ER. Results: The Vs, E, F, and A indexes were significantly higher in patients with ER than in those without ER (P = 0.002, P = 0.002, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that microvascular invasion (MVI, odds ratio [OR] = 3.964, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.326-11.845; P = 0.010) and the F index (OR = 9.533, 95%CI = 1.921-47.296; P = 0.006) were independent predictors of ER in HCC. A ER prediction model based on laboratory tests, MVI and F index were moderate [area under curves (AUCs) in training and validation cohort were 0.829(95%CI: 0.723-0.935; P < 0.001) and 0.846 (95%CI: 0.699-0.994; P = 0.002), respectively]. Conclusion: Preoperative combi-elastography analysis could be used as a potential prognostic tool for HCC ER and assist in clinical decision-making.