To compare the diagnostic efficiency between Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) capsule.

Clinical imaging data of 102 HCC patients who underwent MRI in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-senUniversity from March 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. Among them, 90 patients were male and 12 female, aged (52±10) years on average. Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI was performed in 54 patients (Gd-BOPTA group) and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI was performed in 48 cases (Gd-EOB-DTPA group). MRI images were independently assessed by 2 experienced abdominal imaging professionals who were blind to this study. The detection rate of HCC capsule between two groups was statistically compared by Chi-square test. Based on the pathological examination as the gold standard of diagnosis, the diagnostic efficiency of HCC capsule between two contrast agents was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Among 102 HCC patients, 73 lesions had pathological capsules including 45 lesions in the Gd-BOPTA group and 28 in the Gd-EOB-DTPA group. The detection rate of Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI for HCC capsule was 89%(40/45), significantly higher than 39% (11/28) of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI (χ²=20.171, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve of Gd-BOPTA for diagnosing HCC capsule was 0.722 (95%CI:0.514-0.930), the accuracy was 83%, the sensitivity was 0.89 and the specificity was 0.56, respectively. The area under ROC curve of Gd-EOB-DTPA was 0.621 (95%CI: 0.462-0.781), the accuracy was 58%, the sensitivity was 0.39 and the specificity was 0.85, respectively.

Gd-BOPTA-enhanced MRI yields higher detection rate, sensitivity and accuracy than Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for diagnosing HBV-related HCC capsule.