Disease severity prognostication in primary sclerosing cholangitis: a validation of the Anali scores and comparison with the potential functional stricture
Authors: Poetter-Lang Sarah , Ba-Ssalamah Ahmed , Messner Alina , Bastati Nina , Ambros Raphael , Kristic Antonia , Kittinger Jakob , Pochepnia Svitlana , Ba-Ssalamah Sami A. , Hodge Jacqueline. C. , Halilbasic Emina , Venkatesh Sudhakar K. , Kartalis Nikolaos , Ringe Kristina , Arrivé Lionel , Trauner Michael 
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Our aim was twofold. First, to validate Anali scores with and without gadolinium (ANALIGd and ANALINoGd) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients. Second, to compare the ANALIs prognostic ability with the recently-proposed potential functional stricture (PFS).

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 123 patients with a mean age of 41.5 years, who underwent gadoxetic acid-enahnced MRI (GA-MRI). Five readers independently evaluated all images for calculation of ANALIGd and ANALINoGd scores based upon following criteria: intrahepatic bile duct change severity, hepatic dysmorphia, liver parenchymal heterogeneity, and portal hypertension. In addition, hepatobiliary contrast excretion into first-order bile ducts was evaluated on 20-minute hepatobiliary-phase (HBP) images to assess PFS. Inter- and intrareader agreement were calculated (Fleiss´and Cohen kappas). Kaplan-Meier curves were generated for survival analysis. ANALINoGd, ANALIGd, and PFS were correlated with clinical scores, labs and outcomes (Cox regression analysis).

Results

Inter-reader agreement was almost perfect (ϰ = 0.81) for PFS, but only moderate-(ϰ = 0.55) for binary ANALINoGd. For binary ANALIGd, the agreement was slightly better on HBP (ϰ = 0.64) than on arterial-phase (AP) (ϰ = 0.53). Univariate Cox regression showed that outcomes for decompensated cirrhosis, orthotopic liver transplantation or death significantly correlated with PFS (HR (hazard ratio) = 3.15, p < 0.001), ANALINoGd (HR = 6.42, p < 0.001), ANALIGdHBP (HR = 3.66, p < 0.001) and ANALIGdAP (HR = 3.79, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified the PFS, all three ANALI scores, and Revised Mayo Risk Score as independent risk factors for outcomes (HR 3.12, p < 0.001; 6.12, p < 0.001; 3.56, p < 0.001;3.59, p < 0.001; and 4.13, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

ANALINoGd and GA-MRI-derived ANALI scores and PFS could noninvasively predict outcomes in PSC patients.

Clinical relevance statement

The combined use of Anali scores and the potential functional stricture (PFS), both derived from unenhanced-, and gadoxetic acid enhanced-MRI, could be applied as a diagnostic and prognostic imaging surrogate for counselling and monitoring primary sclerosing cholangitis patients.

Key Points

Primary sclerosing cholangitis patients require radiological monitoring to assess disease stability and for the presence and type of complications.

A contrast-enhanced MRI algorithm based on potential functional stricture and ANALI scores risk-stratified these patients.

Unenhanced ANALI score had a high negative predictive value, indicating some primary sclerosing cholangitis patients can undergo non-contrast MRI surveillance.

Graphical Abstract