Early prediction of local tumor progression after ablation of colorectal liver metastases based on MRI radiomics

The aim of this study was to investigate a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)-based model for early prediction of local tumor progression (LTP) after ablation of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM).53 patients with CRLM ablation were enrolled in a total of 83 lesions. The lesions were divided into LTP group (n = 27) and non-LTP group (n = 56). Radiomics features were extracted from the patients' post ablation enhanced MRI arterial phase in the ablation zone, and around the ablation zone (0-5mm, 0-10mm, 5-15mm) to establish radiomics, clinical and combined models. Tumor size correlated with high LTP after ablation (p < 0.05). The 0–10 mm radiomics model around the ablation zone showed good performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.874 for the training set and 0.831 for the validation set. In addition, the diagnostic efficacy of the combined model of PAZ2 and AZ as well as the combined model of AZ-PAZ2 and clinical risk factors was superior, with an AUC of 0.896 and 0.919, respectively, for the training set, and AUC of 0.882 and 0.875, respectively, for the validation set. were 0.882 and 0.875 for the validation group, respectively. In conclusion, the combined postoperative ablation zone and peri-ablation zone radiomics model can early predict LTP after ablation in CRLM patients.