Table 6

Model representing the number and the estimated aggregate and per patient cost of the radiological and histological procedures utilised for the assessment of the 55 nodules 1–2 cm in size in 54 patients with cirrhosis, stratified by the different diagnostic protocols based on different sequences of investigations

Stepwise imaging evaluation				No. of exams
First step	Second step	Third step		CE-US	CT	MRI (^§)	FNB (^*)	Aggregate cost (Euros)	Total cost per patient (Euros)
Study criteria
CE-US	CT	MRI	^†	55	45	34	33	28667	535^a
CE-US	MRI	CT	^†	55	40	43	33	30215	545^b
CT	CE-US	MRI	^†	39	54	34	33	28909	544^c
CT	MRI	CE-US	^†	34	54	37	33	29346	553^d
MRI	CT	CE-US	^†	34	40	52	33	30970	580^e
MRI	CE-US	CT	^†	38	36	52	33	30607	577^f
AASLD criteria
CE-US and CT		MRI	^‡	55	54	11	43	26440	479^g
CE-US and MRI		CT	^‡	55	16	52	43	30922	558^h
CT and MRI		CE-US	^‡	11	54	52	43	33898	623ⁱ

Statistically significative differences: a vs i=0.03; b vs i=0.048; c vs i=0.04; e vs g=0.003; f vs g=0.004; g vs h=0.0002; g vs i=0.0001; h vs i=0.0007.
↵* Not performed in two patients due to contraindications.
↵† FNB performed in nodules with undefined radiological diagnosis. 33 vs 43 FNB procedures: p=0.031.
↵‡ HCC diagnosis by at least one single imaging technique.
↵§ HCC diagnosis by at least two imaging techniques performed at the same time point.
CE-US, contrast-enhanced ultrasound; FNB, fine needle biopsy.