Efficacy of MRI and CT in Differentiating Benign From Malignant Liver Lesions

Liver lesions represent a broad spectrum of pathological entities ranging from benign tumors, such as hemangiomas, to malignant ones like hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Accurate differentiation between benign and malignant liver lesions is essential for appropriate clinical management. This study aims to compare the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing benign from malignant liver lesions. Conducted over a two-year period at ShriVasantraoNaik Government Medical College Yavatmal, the study involved 50 patients who underwent both CT and MRI, with histopathological confirmation serving as the gold standard. MRI demonstrated higher sensitivity (90%), specificity (85%), and overall accuracy (88%) compared to CT, which exhibited a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 75%, and accuracy of 78%. MRI's superior soft-tissue contrast and advanced imaging sequences contributed to better lesion characterization, while CT remained valuable for initial detection and emergencies. The findings suggest that MRI is the preferred modality for differentiating liver lesions, particularly when the precise diagnosis is critical for treatment planning.