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Rabindranath M, Zaya R, Prayitno K, Orchanian-Cheff A, Patel K, Jaeckel E, Bhat M. A Comprehensive Review of Liver Allograft Fibrosis and Steatosis: From Cause to Diagnosis. Transplant Direct 2023; 9:e1547. [PMID: 37854023 PMCID: PMC10581596 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in posttransplant care, long-term outcomes for liver transplant recipients remain unchanged. Approximately 25% of recipients will advance to graft cirrhosis and require retransplantation. Graft fibrosis progresses in the context of de novo or recurrent disease. Recurrent hepatitis C virus infection was previously the most important cause of graft failure but is now curable in the majority of patients. However, with an increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as the most rapidly increasing indication for liver transplantation, metabolic dysfunction-associated liver injury is anticipated to become an important cause of graft fibrosis alongside alloimmune hepatitis and alcoholic liver disease. To better understand the landscape of the graft fibrosis literature, we summarize the associated epidemiology, cause, potential mechanisms, diagnosis, and complications. We additionally highlight the need for better noninvasive methods to ameliorate the management of graft fibrosis. Some examples include leveraging the microbiome, genetic, and machine learning methods to address these limitations. Overall, graft fibrosis is routinely seen by transplant clinicians, but it requires a better understanding of its underlying biology and contributors that can help inform diagnostic and therapeutic practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumitha Rabindranath
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rita Zaya
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Khairunnadiya Prayitno
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ani Orchanian-Cheff
- Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Keyur Patel
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mamatha Bhat
- Ajmera Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Arif-Tiwari H, Porter KK, Kamel IR, Bashir MR, Fung A, Kaplan DE, McGuire BM, Russo GK, Smith EN, Solnes LB, Thakrar KH, Vij A, Wahab SA, Wardrop RM, Zaheer A, Carucci LR. ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Abnormal Liver Function Tests. J Am Coll Radiol 2023; 20:S302-S314. [PMID: 38040457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2023.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Liver function tests are commonly obtained in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Various overlapping lab patterns can be seen due to derangement of hepatocytes and bile ducts function. Imaging tests are pursued to identify underlying etiology and guide management based on the lab results. Liver function tests may reveal mild, moderate, or severe hepatocellular predominance and can be seen in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver disease, acute hepatitis, and acute liver injury due to other causes. Cholestatic pattern with elevated alkaline phosphatase with or without elevated γ-glutamyl transpeptidase can be seen with various causes of obstructive biliopathy. Acute or subacute cholestasis with conjugated or unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia can be seen due to prehepatic, intrahepatic, or posthepatic causes. We discuss the initial and complementary imaging modalities to be used in clinical scenarios presenting with abnormal liver function tests. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Arif-Tiwari
- University of Arizona, Banner University Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona.
| | | | - Ihab R Kamel
- Panel Chair, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Alice Fung
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - David E Kaplan
- Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
| | - Brendan M McGuire
- University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, Primary care physician
| | | | - Elainea N Smith
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Lilja Bjork Solnes
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland; Commission on Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
| | | | - Abhinav Vij
- New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Shaun A Wahab
- University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Richard M Wardrop
- Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; American College of Physicians, Hospital Medicine
| | | | - Laura R Carucci
- Specialty Chair, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia
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Zhang T, Li Q, Wei Y, Yao S, Yuan Y, Deng L, Wu D, Nie L, Wei X, Tang H, Song B. Preoperative evaluation of liver regeneration following hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma using magnetic resonance elastography. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2022; 12:5433-5451. [PMID: 36465825 PMCID: PMC9703107 DOI: 10.21037/qims-22-306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatectomy, insufficient remnant liver regenerative capacity can lead to liver failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) for the preoperative prediction of liver regeneration in patients with HCC after partial hepatectomy (PH). METHODS A total of 54 patients with HCC undergoing MRE prior to PH were retrospectively included. The total functional liver, volume of preoperative future liver remnant (LVpre), and volume of postoperative liver remnant (LVpost), respectively, were measured, and the regeneration index (RI) and parenchymal hepatic resection rate (PHRR) were manually calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with a high RI, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the liver stiffness (LS) values. Patients were classified into three subgroups based on the value of PHRR: low PHRR (<30%), intermediate PHRR (30-50%), and high PHRR (>50%). Subsequently, Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between LS values and RI in the subgroups. RESULTS Multivariable analysis revealed a low LS value was associated with greater odds of a high RI [odds ratio (OR), 0.049; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.002 to 0.980]. An optimal cutoff value of 3.30 kPa was used to divide all patients into a low RI group and a high RI group with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.882 (95% CI: 0.767 to 0.996). A significant negative relationship between RI and LS values (r=-0.799; P<0.001) was observed in the intermediate PHRR subgroup. CONCLUSIONS The LS values based on MRE may serve as a potential preoperative predictor of liver regeneration for patients with HCC undergoing PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Wei
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shan Yao
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liping Deng
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongbo Wu
- Center of Infectious Diseases, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | | | | | - Hehan Tang
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Song
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Radiology, Sanya People’s Hospital, Sanya, China
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Ng CH, Tan DJH, Lim XC, Yong JN, Syn N, Soon GST, Huang DQ, Xiao J, Lim GEH, Lim WH, Tan EXX, Dan YY, Noureddin M, Siddiqui MS, Muthiah MD. A Diagnostic Test Meta-Analysis Evaluating Imaging-Based and Blood Biomarker-Based Assessment Tools for Fibrosis After Liver Transplantation. Liver Transpl 2022; 28:659-669. [PMID: 34714966 DOI: 10.1002/lt.26345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Early detection of liver graft fibrosis is crucial for risk stratification to identify patients for liver biopsy and timely treatment. However, diagnostic accuracy of noninvasive tests (NITs) remains unclear. Thus, this study sought to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of NITs in assessing liver allograft fibrosis and compare the differences in specificities and sensitivities among NITs. Medline and Embase databases were searched to include articles on diagnostic tests in liver transplantation (LT) patients with fibrosis. A meta-analysis on diagnostic test accuracy was conducted in a random-effects model. Sensitivities and specificities among the diagnostic tests were compared, and threshold values were calculated where applicable. A total of 25 articles were included. Vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) met the minimum diagnostic accuracy requirements, yielding sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios of 0.9 (CI, 0.8-1.0), 0.9 (CI, 0.8-1.0), and 379.6 (CI, 45.8-1728.7), respectively. In the threshold assessment, the optimal cutoff was 9.30 kPa with a sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of 0.7 (CI, 0.5-0.9), 0.9 (CI, 0.8-0.9), and 0.9 (CI, 0.8-0.9), respectively. For significant fibrosis, acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) was superior to FibroTest (LabCorp [Burlington, NC]) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in sensitivity. VCTE was superior to FibroTest in specificity. For advanced fibrosis, ARFI was superior to the Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) in sensitivity. VCTE was superior to the AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), MRE, and FIB-4 in specificity. In cirrhosis, VCTE was superior to APRI in specificity (P = 0.004) with comparable sensitivity. This study demonstrates the potential of VCTE and ARFI as diagnostic tools for fibrosis in LT recipients compared with blood-based NITs, which were shown to be less optimal.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Nicholas Syn
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.,Biostatistics & Modelling Domain, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Daniel Q Huang
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.,National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Grace En Hui Lim
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Eunice Xiang Xuan Tan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.,National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.,National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- Cedars-Sinai Fatty Liver Program, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mohammad Shadab Siddiqui
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Mark D Muthiah
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Singapore.,National University Centre for Organ Transplantation, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
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Kim DW, Kim SY, Yoon HM, Kim KW, Byun JH. Comparison of technical failure of MR elastography for measuring liver stiffness between gradient‐recalled echo and spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 51:1086-1102. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wook Kim
- The Department of Radiology and Research Institute of RadiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- The Department of Radiology and Research Institute of RadiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Mang Yoon
- The Department of Radiology and Research Institute of RadiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Won Kim
- The Department of Radiology and Research Institute of RadiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Ho Byun
- The Department of Radiology and Research Institute of RadiologyUniversity of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center Seoul Republic of Korea
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Abstract
The first clinical application of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) was in the evaluation of chronic liver disease (CLD) for detection and staging of liver fibrosis. In the past 10 years, MRE has been incorporated seamlessly into a standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) liver protocol worldwide. Liver MRE is a robust technique for evaluation of liver stiffness and is currently the most accurate noninvasive imaging technology for evaluation of liver fibrosis. Newer MRE sequences including spin-echo MRE and 3 dimensional MRE have helped in reducing the technical limitations of clinical liver MRE that is performed with 2D gradient recalled echo (GRE) MRE. Advances in MRE technology have led to understanding of newer mechanical parameters such as dispersion, attenuation, and viscoelasticity that may be useful in evaluating pathological processes in CLD and may prove useful in their management.This review article will describe the changes in CLD that cause an increase in stiffness followed by principle and technique of liver MRE. In the later part of the review, we will briefly discuss the advances in liver MRE.
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Han MAT, Saouaf R, Ayoub W, Todo T, Mena E, Noureddin M. Magnetic resonance imaging and transient elastography in the management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2017; 10:379-390. [PMID: 28277807 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2017.1299573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis worldwide and the second most common cause of liver transplantation in major medical centers. Because liver steatosis and fibrosis severity are related to disease morbidity and mortality, the extent of disease, and disease progression, they need to be assessed and monitored. In addition, innovation with new drug developments requires disease staging and monitoring in both phase 2 and 3 clinical trials. Currently, disease assessment in both clinical practice and research is mostly performed by liver biopsy, an invasive, procedure with risks. Noninvasive, highly accurate tests are needed that could be used in clinical trials as surrogate endpoints and in clinical practice for monitoring patients. Area Covered: We discuss noninvasive tests, transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MR elastography (MRE), summarize the available evidence of their usefulness for assessing steatosis and fibrosis. Therefore they could be used as clinical trials outcomes and in disease monitoring in clinical practice. Expert Commentary: TE with CAP, MRI and MRE are highly accurate noninvasive diagnostic tools for quantifying hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Therefore they could be used as clinical trials outcomes and in disease monitoring in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma Ai Thanda Han
- a Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Rola Saouaf
- b Department of Radiology , Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Walid Ayoub
- c Fatty Liver Program, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA.,d Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Tsuyoshi Todo
- d Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Edward Mena
- e California Liver Research Institute , Pasadena , California , USA
| | - Mazen Noureddin
- c Fatty Liver Program, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA.,d Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center , Los Angeles , California , USA
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Singh S, Venkatesh SK, Keaveny A, Adam S, Miller FH, Asbach P, Godfrey EM, Silva AC, Wang Z, Murad MH, Asrani SK, Lomas DJ, Ehman RL. Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography in liver transplant recipients: A pooled analysis. Ann Hepatol 2016; 15:363-76. [PMID: 27049490 PMCID: PMC5032623 DOI: 10.5604/16652681.1198808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS We conducted an individual participant data (IPD) pooled analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to detect fibrosis stage in liver transplant recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Through a systematic literature search, we identified studies on diagnostic performance of MRE for staging liver fibrosis, using liver biopsy as gold standard. We contacted study authors for published and unpublished IPD on age, sex, body mass index, liver stiffness, fibrosis stage, degree of inflammation and interval between MRE and biopsy; from these we limited analysis to patients who had undergone liver transplantation. Through pooled analysis using nonparametric two-stage receiver-operating curve (ROC) regression models, we calculated the cluster-adjusted AUROC, sensitivity and specificity of MRE for any (≥ stage 1), significant (≥ stage 2) and advanced fibrosis (≥ stage 3) and cirrhosis (stage 4). RESULTS We included 6 cohorts (4 published and 2 unpublished series) reporting on 141 liver transplant recipients (mean age, 57 years; 75.2% male; mean BMI, 27.1 kg/m2). Fibrosis stage distribution stage 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4, was 37.6%, 23.4%, 24.8%, 12% and 2.2%, respectively. Mean AUROC values (and 95% confidence intervals) for diagnosis of any (≥ stage 1), significant (≥ stage 2), or advanced fibrosis (≥ stage 3) and cirrhosis were 0.73 (0.66-0.81), 0.69 (0.62-0.74), 0.83 (0.61-0.88) and 0.96 (0.93-0.98), respectively. Similar diagnostic performance was observed in stratified analysis based on sex, obesity and inflammation grade. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, MRE has high diagnostic accuracy for detection of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in liver transplant recipients, independent of BMI and degree of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Singh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Andrew Keaveny
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Sharon Adam
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frank H. Miller
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patrick Asbach
- Department of Radiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Alvin C. Silva
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Zhen Wang
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mohammad Hassan Murad
- Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sumeet K. Asrani
- Division of Hepatology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - David J. Lomas
- Department of Radiology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, U.K
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Abstract
Many diseases cause substantial changes in the mechanical properties of tissue, and this provides motivation for developing methods to noninvasively assess the stiffness of tissue using imaging technology. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) has emerged as a versatile MRI-based technique, based on direct visualization of propagating shear waves in the tissues. The most established clinical application of MRE in the abdomen is in chronic liver disease. MRE is currently regarded as the most accurate noninvasive technique for detection and staging of liver fibrosis. Increasing experience and ongoing research is leading to exploration of applications in other abdominal organs. In this review article, the current use of MRE in liver disease and the potential future applications of this technology in other parts of the abdomen are surveyed.
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