Vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) have been implicated as a marker of unfavorable prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).¹ VETC is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and a higher likelihood of early recurrence following treatment.¹ Noninvasive imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and ethoxybenzyl-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) have the potential to identify VETC and may serve as useful tools for prognostication.^2-4 However, the imaging criteria used to assess VETC, including the SN (size and necrosis) score, the VETC nomogram, and Fan's model, require further external validation. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and prognostic value of these imaging criteria for VETC detection and their ability to predict early recurrence in HCC patients.