Deciphering Liver Imaging After Interventional Oncology Treatments for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cirrhotic patients undergo frequent imaging surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to the known oncogenic potential of the chronically injured liver, and patients who undergo treatment for HCC are followed up closely with imaging to evaluate for tumor response, treatment complications, and potential recurrence/residual tumor that may indicate further therapy. As such, radiologists play a key role in ensuring the timely and appropriate treatment of patients with HCC. However, the underlying heterogeneity of the cirrhotic liver on imaging, along with the spectrum of findings that can occur after various locoregional therapies (LRTs), can complicate posttreatment image interpretation. This article reviews expected MRI and CT findings after LRT in this patient population.