MRI versus ultrasound for early liver cancer detection, body composition, and decompensation risk in cirrhosis
A Comparative Study of MRI and Ultrasound for Detection of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Body Composition and Risk Factors for Decompensation in Liver Cirrhosis
This project will test whether abbreviated MRI or ultrasound is better at finding early liver cancer and measuring muscle and fat in adults with cirrhosis.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Linkoeping University Government |
| Locations | 1 site (Linköping, Select A State Or Province) |
| Trial ID | NCT07291141 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective multicenter cohort of adults with clinically diagnosed cirrhosis followed with scheduled clinical assessments and imaging over time. Participants undergo both ultrasound and abbreviated MRI (AMRI) at predefined intervals to compare detection performance and image quality. The protocol includes quantitative body composition analysis (muscle and adiposity) to explore links with imaging characteristics, disease progression, and HCC risk. Longitudinal clinical and imaging outcomes are used to develop and test prediction models for incident HCC, liver-related complications, and mortality.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–84 with clinically diagnosed liver cirrhosis, no prior HCC or liver transplant, able to undergo MRI, and able to give informed consent are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with MRI contraindications, pregnancy, primary sclerosing cholangitis, vascular liver disease, congenital liver fibrosis, prior HCC, prior liver transplant, or inability to travel to the study site are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could enable earlier detection of HCC and better risk stratification, allowing timelier treatment and more personalized surveillance for people with cirrhosis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies indicate abbreviated MRI can be more sensitive than ultrasound for HCC detection, but large prospective multicenter comparisons that also incorporate body composition and longitudinal risk modeling remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients with liver cirrhosis, according to clinical practice. Based on criteria such as elastography, symptoms, biopsy, or radiology. * Age ≥18 years ≤ 84 * Written informed consent from the participant Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindications for MRI (ferrrous material, claustrophobia) * Pregnancy * Diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) * Vascular liver disease * Congenital liver fibrosis * Previous diagnosis of hepatic carcinoma (HCC) * Previous liver transplant
Where this trial is running
Linköping, Select A State Or Province
- Department of gastroenterology and hepatology, University hospital in Linköping — Linköping, Select A State Or Province, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Mattias Ekstedt, MD, PhD — Linkoeping University
- Study coordinator: Mattias Ekstedt, MD, PhD
- Email: mattias.ekstedt@liu.se
- Phone: 0046709296267
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.