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CEUS vs. aMRI for Liver Cancer Detection

This study is comparing two imaging tests, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast-enhanced abbreviated MRI (aMRI), to see which is better at finding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer, early in patients who have suspicious liver spots (indeterminate liver nodules). You might be able to join if you are an adult (18 or older) with Child A or B cirrhosis (a type of liver scarring) and have at least one indeterminate liver nodule, but no HCC yet. The main goal is to see how well these tests detect HCC over 5 years. The study is currently recruiting patients.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 600 participants. It is comparing two different diagnostic tests.
What's involved
You would have both CEUS and aMRI imaging tests every 3-6 months. These tests will continue until HCC is found, the nodules are clearly benign, or for up to 24 months after you join.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The study will measure early HCC detection at 5 years, suggesting a long-term follow-up period.

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NCT06184152

CEUS vs. AMRI for HCC Detection in Patients With Indeterminate Liver Nodules

Recruiting
NAAges 18+InterventionalDiagnostic
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
~600 participants
Updated 2026-07-02 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:CEUS imagingaMRI imaging

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Early HCC Detection
Measured over 5 years

Conditions

HCC
Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Explore related trials

CirrhosisHepatocellular Carcinoma

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
Michigan1
Texas1

Who to contact

Lisa Quirk, MS/MPH
[email protected]
214-645-6179
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Child A or B cirrhosis from any etiology with at least one ILN on 4-phase CT, contrast- enhanced MRI, or contrast enhanced US but without HCC at baseline.
Adults 18 years old and above

Exclusion

Patients post liver transplantation
Patients with concurrent or prior HCC (LR-5 or biopsy proven)
other liver cancer including cholangiocarcinoma
Patients with any active extra-hepatic malignancy
Patients with significant comorbidity and limited life expectancy, e.g., stage D congestive heart failure, in whom surveillance is not warranted are also excluded given unlikely clinical benefit
Patients with contraindication to contrast-enhanced MRI or CEUS, including implanted medical devices that are considered MR unsafe and severe claustrophobia

What this trial measures

  • Early HCC Detection5 years

    Assess and compare true positive rate (TPR) and false positive rate (FPR) of AMRI to CEUS for early-stage HCC detection, as defined by the Barcelona Clinic Liver Staging system.