Non-Contrast Versus Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Colorectal Liver Metastases

October 1, 2026 updated by: Mina Mohsen William Basta, Assiut University

Comparative Evaluation of a Non-Contrast Abbreviated MRI Protocol and a Contrast-Enhanced MRI Protocol in Colorectal Liver Metastases

This prospective study aims to compare the diagnostic performance of a non-contrast abbreviated MRI protocol with a contrast-enhanced MRI protocol for the detection and follow-up assessment of colorectal liver metastases.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Accurate detection and follow-up of colorectal liver metastases are essential for staging and treatment planning. This observational study will include patients with histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma and suspected hepatic metastases.

Each participant will undergo a non-contrast abbreviated MRI protocol followed by a contrast-enhanced MRI protocol using Gadodiamide during the same examination. Contrast-enhanced MSCT of the abdomen will serve as the reference standard. Treatment response will be assessed according to RECIST 1.1 on follow-up MRI.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

40

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma and suspected hepatic metastases referred to the Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department at Assiut University Hospitals.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • - Histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma
  • One or more hepatic focal lesions known or suspected to represent colorectal liver metastases
  • Adequate image quality allowing reliable assessment of hepatic lesions
  • Patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy allowing assessment of treatment response
  • Patients referred for initial staging, restaging, or evaluation of treatment response
  • Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • - Contraindications to gadolinium-based contrast administration
  • Incomplete MRI examinations
  • Inadequate image quality preventing reliable assessment
  • Contraindications to MRI examination

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: CASE_ONLY
  • Time Perspectives: PROSPECTIVE

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Single cohort: Patients with Colorectal Liver Metastases

Patients with confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma and suspected hepatic metastases who will undergo both non-contrast and contrast-enhanced MRI protocols during the same examination.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sensitivity of non-contrast MRI for detection of hepatic metastases
Time Frame: Baseline

Sensitivity of the non-contrast abbreviated MRI protocol for detection of hepatic metastases, using contrast-enhanced MSCT as the reference standard.

Baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Sensitivity of contrast-enhanced MRI for detection of hepatic metastases
Time Frame: Baseline

Sensitivity of the contrast-enhanced MRI protocol for detection of hepatic metastases, using contrast-enhanced MSCT as the reference standard.

Baseline
Specificity of non-contrast MRI
Time Frame: Baseline

Specificity of the non-contrast abbreviated MRI protocol for detection of hepatic metastases.

Baseline
Specificity of contrast-enhanced MRI
Time Frame: Baseline

Specificity of the contrast-enhanced MRI protocol for detection of hepatic metastases.

Baseline
Number of hepatic lesions detected by non-contrast MRI
Time Frame: Baseline

Mean number of hepatic metastatic lesions detected by the non-contrast MRI protocol.

Baseline
Number of hepatic lesions detected by contrast-enhanced MRI
Time Frame: Baseline

Mean number of hepatic metastatic lesions detected by the contrast-enhanced MRI protocol.

Baseline
Proportion of patients with partial response according to RECIST 1.1
Time Frame: At 3 months

Proportion of patients classified as partial response according to RECIST 1.1 on follow-up MRI.

At 3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Amr F Mourad, prof, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, Assiut University Hospitals

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 27, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 27, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 20, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 27, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

October 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

October 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 1, 2026

Last Verified

October 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • MRI-CRLM-Assiut-2026

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.