February 5, 2013 — The latest version of the American College of Radiology’s (ACR) Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) — a system of standardized terminology and criteria to interpret and report imaging examinations of the liver — includes several modifications and enhancements to the previous version. These include:
- Unification of LI-RADS and United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) categorization
- Change from list format to algorithmic format for assignment of LI-RADS category codes
- Expansion of the LI-RADS lexicon of terms
- Incorporation of a comprehensive atlas that illustrates major and ancillary imaging features, as well as key lexicon terms
- Incorporation of management implications for each LR category
- Incorporation of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technical requirements
- LI-RADS currently applies to patients with cirrhosis or those at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is cancer of the liver.
“LI-RADS was developed and refined by a committee of radiologists with expertise in CT and MRI of the liver and with input from hepatologists, heptobiliary surgeons, interventionalists and pathologists. LI-RADS can help radiologists to improve the consistency and clarity with which they interpret and report CT and MRI examinations of the liver in patients with cirrhosis or other risk factors for development of hepatocellular carcinoma. LI-RADS is also a valuable educational tool that will be useful to radiologists at all levels of training and expertise,” said Claude Sirlin, M.D., chair of the ACR Committee on LI-RADS.
Used by community and academic radiologists, LI-RADS allows the radiology community to apply consistent terminology, reduce imaging interpretation variability and errors, enhance communication with referring clinicians and facilitate quality assurance and research. Access to LI-RADS is free.
“LI-RADS is the most comprehensive and useable tool ever developed for the diagnosis and reporting of hepatic MRI and CT scans in patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Built on evidence and consensus, expert opinion, it is an indispensable resource for any and all radiologists who interpret hepatic MRI or CT scans. It is also a valuable resource for clinical physicians and surgeons,” said Jeffrey Weinreb, M.D., member of the ACR Committee on LI-RADS.
For more information: www.acr.org/lirads
April 11, 2024 
