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Objectives: To systematically determine the diagnostic accuracy of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging ([18F]FDG-PET/MRI) for the detection of liver metastases and evaluate the sources of heterogeneity in the reported results.Methods: PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched up until December 31, 2017, to identify original research studies reporting the diagnostic performance (Se and Sp) of PET/MRI for liver metastases, in comparison with PET/CT. Study quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. The summary Se and Sp of the studies were estimated using hierarchical modeling methods. To determine causes of study heterogeneity, the presence of a threshold effect was analyzed, and meta-regression analysis was performed.Results: Of 546 articles screened, eight suitable articles were identified, with seven for per-lesion analysis, and four for per-patient analysis. The meta-analytic summary Se and Sp for per-patient-based analysis were 99.2% (95% CI, 31.4-100.0%, I2 = 89.4%) and 98.6% (95% CI, 84.0-99.9%, I2 = 0.0%), respectively, while for per-lesion-based analysis they were 95.4% (95% CI, 78.3-99.2%, I2 = 99.7%) and 99.3% (95% CI, 93.8-99.9%, I2 = 96.5%). PET/MRI showed higher Se (95.4% vs. 68.3%) and Sp (99.3% vs. 95.8%) than PET/CT. Meta-regression analysis showed five significant factors affecting study heterogeneity: study subject characteristics, study design, MRI technique (DWI, HBP after injection of liver-specific contrast media), imaging review method, and reference standard.Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of [18F]FDG-PET/MRI for liver metastasis was high overall, but substantial heterogeneity was found. Further randomized controlled studies or prospective studies are needed to investigate the role of PET/MRI in liver metastasis in comparison with PET/CT.Key Points: • [ 18 F]FDG-PET/MRI has high meta-analytic Se and Sp for the diagnosis of liver metastasis. • PET/MRI using DWI and HBP images significantly increased diagnostic accuracy. • Study heterogeneity was associated with subject characteristics, study design, MRI technique, image review method, and reference standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (EOB-MRI) strategy compared with conventional MRI strategy and biopsy to differentiate focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) from hepatocellular adenoma (HCA).Methods: A decision tree model was constructed to compare the cost-effectiveness of EOB-MRI, conventional MRI with extracellular contrast agents, and biopsy as the initial diagnostic modality in patients with incidentally detected focal liver lesions suspected of being FNH or HCA. We analysed the cost and effectiveness, i.e. probability of successful diagnosis of each strategy. Costs were based on utilisation rates and Medicare reimbursements in the USA and South Korea.Results: In the base case analysis of our decision tree model, the effectiveness of the three strategies was similar. The cost of the EOB-MRI strategy ($1283 in USA, $813 in South Korea) was lowest compared with the biopsy strategy ($1725 in USA, $847 in South Korea) and the conventional MRI strategy ($1750 in USA, $962 in South Korea). One-way, two-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed unchanged results over an acceptable range.Conclusions: EOB-MRI strategy is the most cost-effective strategy for differentiating FNH from HCA in patients with incidentally detected focal liver lesions in a non-cirrhotic liver.Key Points: • The effectiveness of the three strategies was similar. • The cost of the EOB-MRI strategy was lowest. • EOB-MRI strategy is the most cost-effective for differentiating FNH from HCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]