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Serai SD, Franchi-Abella S, Syed AB, Tkach JA, Toso S, Ferraioli G. MR and Ultrasound Elastography for Fibrosis Assessment in Children: Practical Implementation and Supporting Evidence- AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2024. [PMID: 38170833 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.23.30506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Quantitative MRI and ultrasound biomarkers of liver fibrosis have become important tools in the diagnosis and clinical management of children with chronic liver disease (CLD). In particular, MR elastography (MRE) is now routinely performed in clinical practice to evaluate the liver for fibrosis. Ultrasound shear-wave elastography has also become widely performed for this purpose, especially in young children. These noninvasive methods are increasingly used to replace liver biopsy for the diagnosis, quantitative staging, and treatment monitoring of patients with CLD. Although ultrasound has advantages of portability and lower equipment cost, available evidence indicates that MRI may have greater reliability and accuracy in liver fibrosis evaluation. In this AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review, we describe how, why, and when to use MRI- and ultrasound-based elastography methods for liver fibrosis assessment in children. Practical approaches are discussed for adapting and optimizing these methods in children, with consideration of clinical indications, patient preparation, equipment requirements, acquisition technique, as well as pitfalls and confounding factors. Guidance is provided for interpretation and reporting, and representative case examples are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj D Serai
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA
| | - Stéphanie Franchi-Abella
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Médecine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- AP-HP, Centre de Référence des maladies rares du foie de l'enfant, Service de radiologie pédiatrique diagnostique et interventionnelle, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- BIOMAPS UMR 9011 CNRS, Inserm, CEA, Orsay, France
| | - Ali B Syed
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Jean A Tkach
- Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Seema Toso
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, University Children's Hospital Geneva, 6 rue Willy Donzé, CH 1211, Genéve 14, Suisse
| | - Giovanna Ferraioli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Clinico-Chirurgiche, Diagnostiche e Pediatriche, Medical School University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
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Chouari T, Merali N, La Costa F, Santol J, Chapman S, Horton A, Aroori S, Connell J, Rockall TA, Mole D, Starlinger P, Welsh F, Rees M, Frampton AE. The Role of the Multiparametric MRI LiverMultiScan TM in the Quantitative Assessment of the Liver and Its Predicted Clinical Applications in Patients Undergoing Major Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4863. [PMID: 37835557 PMCID: PMC10571783 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for the histological assessment of the liver. With clear disadvantages and the rise in the incidences of liver disease, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and an explosion of surgical management options available, non-invasive serological and imaging markers of liver histopathology have never been more pertinent in order to assess liver health and stratify patients considered for surgical intervention. Liver MRI is a leading modality in the assessment of hepatic malignancy. Recent technological advancements in multiparametric MRI software such as the LiverMultiScanTM offers an attractive non-invasive assay of anatomy and histopathology in the pre-operative setting, especially in the context of CRLM. This narrative review examines the evidence for the LiverMultiScanTM in the assessment of hepatic fibrosis, steatosis/steatohepatitis, and potential applications for chemotherapy-associated hepatic changes. We postulate its future role and the hurdles it must surpass in order to be implemented in the pre-operative management of patients undergoing hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis. Such a role likely extends to other hepatic malignancies planned for resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarak Chouari
- MATTU, The Leggett Building, Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (T.C.)
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
- Oncology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Nabeel Merali
- MATTU, The Leggett Building, Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (T.C.)
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
- Oncology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Francesca La Costa
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
| | - Jonas Santol
- Department of Surgery, HPB Center, Vienna Health Network, Clinic Favoriten and Sigmund Freud Private University, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Shelley Chapman
- Department of Radiology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
| | - Alex Horton
- Department of Radiology, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
| | - Somaiah Aroori
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Transplant Surgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth PL6 8DH, UK
| | | | - Timothy A. Rockall
- MATTU, The Leggett Building, Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (T.C.)
- Oncology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK
| | - Damian Mole
- Clinical Surgery, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH10 5HF, UK
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH105HF, UK
| | - Patrick Starlinger
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
- Center of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, General Hospital, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Fenella Welsh
- Hepato-Biliary Unit, Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NA, UK
| | - Myrddin Rees
- Hepato-Biliary Unit, Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG24 9NA, UK
| | - Adam E. Frampton
- MATTU, The Leggett Building, Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK; (T.C.)
- Department of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgery, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK
- Oncology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7WG, UK
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Wang L, Chen W, Qian Y, So TY. Repeatability of quantitative T1rho magnetic resonance imaging in normal brain tissues at 3.0T. Phys Med 2023; 112:102641. [PMID: 37480710 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.102641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE T1rho imaging is a promising MRI technique for imaging of brain disease. This study aimed to assess the repeatability of quantitative T1rho imaging in the normal brain grey and white matter. METHODS The study prospectively recruited 30 healthy volunteers without a history of neurological diseases or brain injury, and T1rho was performed and quantified from three imaging sessions. Repeat measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and within-subject coefficients of variation (wCoV) was used to detect differences in T1rho values between the three scans. RESULTS The results showed low wCoVs of less than 4.3% (range 0.92-4.27%) across all the brain structures. No significant differences were observed in T1rho measurement between the three scans (p > 0.05). The amygdala and hippocampus showed the highest T1rho values of 91.79 ± 2.55 msec and 91.07 ± 2.11 msec respectively, and the palladium and putamen had the lowest values of 67.60 ± 1.84 msec and 71.83 ± 1.85 msec respectively. CONCLUSION T1rho shows high test-retest repeatability for whole brain imaging in serial imaging sessions, indicating it to be a reliable sequence for quantitative brain imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Weitian Chen
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yurui Qian
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Tiffany Y So
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Gaur S, Panda A, Fajardo JE, Hamilton J, Jiang Y, Gulani V. Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting: A Review of Clinical Applications. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:561-577. [PMID: 37026802 PMCID: PMC10330487 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is an approach to quantitative magnetic resonance imaging that allows for efficient simultaneous measurements of multiple tissue properties, which are then used to create accurate and reproducible quantitative maps of these properties. As the technique has gained popularity, the extent of preclinical and clinical applications has vastly increased. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of currently investigated preclinical and clinical applications of MRF, as well as future directions. Topics covered include MRF in neuroimaging, neurovascular, prostate, liver, kidney, breast, abdominal quantitative imaging, cardiac, and musculoskeletal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Gaur
- Department of Radiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Ananya Panda
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | | | - Jesse Hamilton
- Department of Radiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Yun Jiang
- Department of Radiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Vikas Gulani
- Department of Radiology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI
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Zu Z, Adelnia F, Harkins K, Wang F, Ostenson J, Gore JC. Correction of errors in estimates of T 1ρ at low spin-lock amplitudes in the presence of B 0 and B 1 inhomogeneities. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4951. [PMID: 37070215 PMCID: PMC10619883 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Relaxation rates R1ρ in the rotating frame measured by spin-lock methods at very low locking amplitudes (≤ 100 Hz) are sensitive to the effects of water diffusion in intrinsic gradients and may provide information on tissue microvasculature, but accurate estimates are challenging in the presence of B0 and B1 inhomogeneities. Although composite pulse preparations have been developed to compensate for nonuniform fields, the transverse magnetization comprises different components and the spin-lock signals measured do not decay exponentially as a function of locking interval at low locking amplitudes. For example, during a typical preparation sequence, some of the magnetization in the transverse plane is nutated to the Z-axis and later tipped back, and so does not experience R1ρ relaxation. As a result, if the spin-lock signals are fit to a monoexponential decay with locking interval, there are residual errors in quantitative estimates of relaxation rates R1ρ and their dispersion with weak locking fields. We developed an approximate theoretical analysis to model the behaviors of the different components of the magnetization, which provides a means to correct these errors. The performance of this correction approach was evaluated both through numerical simulations and on human brain images at 3 T, and compared with a previous correction method using matrix multiplication. Our correction approach has better performance than the previous method at low locking amplitudes. Through careful shimming, the correction approach can be applied in studies using low spin-lock amplitudes to assess the contribution of diffusion to R1ρ dispersion and to derive estimates of microvascular sizes and spacings. The results of imaging eight healthy subjects suggest that R1ρ dispersion in human brain at low locking fields arises from diffusion among inhomogeneities that generate intrinsic gradients on a scale of capillaries (~7.4 ± 0.5 μm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongliang Zu
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Fatemeh Adelnia
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Kevin Harkins
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Feng Wang
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jason Ostenson
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - John C. Gore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Deparment of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Laothamatas I, Al Mubarak H, Reddy A, Wax R, Badani K, Taouli B, Bane O, Lewis S. Multiparametric MRI of Solid Renal Masses: Principles and Applications of Advanced Quantitative and Functional Methods for Tumor Diagnosis and Characterization. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023. [PMID: 37052601 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Solid renal masses (SRMs) are increasingly detected and encompass both benign and malignant masses, with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) being the most common malignant SRM. Most patients with SRMs will undergo management without a priori pathologic confirmation. There is an unmet need to noninvasively diagnose and characterize RCCs, as significant variability in clinical behavior is observed and a wide range of differing management options exist. Cross-sectional imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are increasingly used for SRM characterization. Multiparametric (mp) MRI techniques can provide insight into tumor biology by probing different physiologic/pathophysiologic processes noninvasively. These include sequences that probe tissue microstructure, including intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and T1 relaxometry; oxygen metabolism (blood oxygen level dependent [BOLD-MRI]); as well as vascular flow and perfusion (dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI [DCE-MRI] and arterial spin labeling [ASL]). In this review, we will discuss each mpMRI method in terms of its principles, roles, and discuss the results of human studies for SRM assessment. Future validation of these methods may help to enable a personalized management approach for patients with SRM in the emerging era of precision medicine. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 5. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indira Laothamatas
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Haitham Al Mubarak
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arthi Reddy
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca Wax
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ketan Badani
- Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bachir Taouli
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Octavia Bane
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sara Lewis
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Hou J, Wong VWS, Qian Y, Jiang B, Chan AWH, Leung HHW, Wong GLH, Yu SCH, Chu WCW, Chen W. Detecting Early-Stage Liver Fibrosis Using Macromolecular Proton Fraction Mapping Based on Spin-Lock MRI: Preliminary Observations. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 57:485-492. [PMID: 35753084 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis is characterized by macromolecule depositions. Recently, a novel technology termed macromolecular proton fraction quantification based on spin-lock magnetic resonance imaging (MPF-SL) is reported to measure macromolecule levels. HYPOTHESIS MPF-SL can detect early-stage liver fibrosis by measuring macromolecule levels in the liver. STUDY TYPE Retrospective. SUBJECTS Fifty-five participants, including 22 with no fibrosis (F0) and 33 with early-stage fibrosis (F1-2), were recruited. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3 T; two-dimensional (2D) MPF-SL turbo spin-echo sequence, 2D spin-lock T1rho turbo spin-echo sequence, and multi-slice 2D gradient echo sequence. ASSESSMENT Macromolecular proton fraction (MPF), T1rho, liver iron concentration (LIC), and fat fraction (FF) biomarkers were quantified within regions of interest. STATISTICAL TESTS Group comparison of the biomarkers using Mann-Whitney U tests; correlation between the biomarkers assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and linear regression with goodness-of-fit; fibrosis stage differentiation using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Average T1rho was 41.76 ± 2.94 msec for F0 and 41.15 ± 3.73 msec for F1-2 (P = 0.60). T1rho showed nonsignificant correlation with either liver fibrosis (ρ = -0.07; P = 0.61) or FF (ρ = -0.14; P = 0.35) but indicated a negative correlation with LIC (ρ = -0.66). MPF was 4.73 ± 0.45% and 5.65 ± 0.81% for F0 and F1-2 participants, respectively. MPF showed a positive correlation with liver fibrosis (ρ = 0.59), and no significant correlations with LIC (ρ = 0.02; P = 0.89) or FF (ρ = 0.05; P = 0.72). The area under the ROC curve was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-0.95) and 0.55 (95% CI 0.39-0.71; P = 0.55) for MPF and T1rho to discriminate between F0 and F1-2 fibrosis, respectively. DATA CONCLUSION MPF-SL has the potential to diagnose early-stage liver fibrosis and does not appear to be confounded by either LIC or FF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Hou
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Vincent W-S Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Medical Data Analytics Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yurui Qian
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Baiyan Jiang
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Anthony W-H Chan
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Howard H-W Leung
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Grace L-H Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Medical Data Analytics Centre, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Simon C-H Yu
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Winnie C-W Chu
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Weitian Chen
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Fotaki A, Velasco C, Prieto C, Botnar RM. Quantitative MRI in cardiometabolic disease: From conventional cardiac and liver tissue mapping techniques to multi-parametric approaches. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 9:991383. [PMID: 36756640 PMCID: PMC9899858 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.991383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiometabolic disease refers to the spectrum of chronic conditions that include diabetes, hypertension, atheromatosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and their long-term impact on cardiovascular health. Histological studies have confirmed several modifications at the tissue level in cardiometabolic disease. Recently, quantitative MR methods have enabled non-invasive myocardial and liver tissue characterization. MR relaxation mapping techniques such as T1, T1ρ, T2 and T2* provide a pixel-by-pixel representation of the corresponding tissue specific relaxation times, which have been shown to correlate with fibrosis, altered tissue perfusion, oedema and iron levels. Proton density fat fraction mapping approaches allow measurement of lipid tissue in the organ of interest. Several studies have demonstrated their utility as early diagnostic biomarkers and their potential to bear prognostic implications. Conventionally, the quantification of these parameters by MRI relies on the acquisition of sequential scans, encoding and mapping only one parameter per scan. However, this methodology is time inefficient and suffers from the confounding effects of the relaxation parameters in each single map, limiting wider clinical and research applications. To address these limitations, several novel approaches have been proposed that encode multiple tissue parameters simultaneously, providing co-registered multiparametric information of the tissues of interest. This review aims to describe the multi-faceted myocardial and hepatic tissue alterations in cardiometabolic disease and to motivate the application of relaxometry and proton-density cardiac and liver tissue mapping techniques. Current approaches in myocardial and liver tissue characterization as well as latest technical developments in multiparametric quantitative MRI are included. Limitations and challenges of these novel approaches, and recommendations to facilitate clinical validation are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Fotaki
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Anastasia Fotaki,
| | - Carlos Velasco
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Prieto
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Millennium Institute for Intelligent Healthcare Engineering, Santiago, Chile
| | - René M. Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom,School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Millennium Institute for Intelligent Healthcare Engineering, Santiago, Chile
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9
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Noninvasive surrogates are poor predictors of liver fibrosis in patients with Fontan circulation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2022; 164:1176-1185.e3. [PMID: 35034765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2021.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with Fontan circulation exhibit a high incidence of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Transient elastography (TE) and the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test have proven useful as noninvasive surrogate markers of liver fibrosis for other chronic liver diseases. We evaluated whether TE and the ELF score can predict the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with Fontan circulation. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 45 adult patients with at least 10 years of Fontan duration who had undergone liver biopsy and investigated the relation between the fibrosis stage and TE and the ELF test results. Additionally, the association of these variables and other biochemical and hemodynamic parameters was assessed. RESULTS The mean age was 25.9 years and the mean Fontan duration was 20.8 years. Advanced liver fibrosis was present in 36 (80.0%) patients. TE or ELF score are comparable for patients with and without advanced liver fibrosis (mean 23.3 vs 24.8 kPa [P = .85] for TE; mean 8.94 vs 9.25 [P = .44] for the ELF score). However, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level and ventricular end-diastolic pressure were higher in patients with advanced liver fibrosis (mean 224 vs 80 pg/mL [P < .01]; and mean 12 vs 9 mm Hg [P = .04], respectively). No independent predictor of advanced liver fibrosis was found in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS TE and the ELF score were unable to predict the degree of liver fibrosis in Fontan patients. Liver biopsy remains as the only valid method to assess fibrotic burden in this population.
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10
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Serai SD. Basics of magnetic resonance imaging and quantitative parameters T1, T2, T2*, T1rho and diffusion-weighted imaging. Pediatr Radiol 2022; 52:217-227. [PMID: 33856502 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-05042-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging is widely available and accepted as the imaging method of choice for many pediatric body imaging applications. Traditionally, it has been used in a qualitative way, where the images are reported non-numerically by radiologists. But now MRI machines have built-in post-processing software connected to the scanner and the database of MR images. This setting enables and encourages simple quantitative analysis of MR images. In this paper, the author reviews the fundamentals of MRI and discusses the most common quantitative MRI techniques for body imaging: T1, T2, T2*, T1rho and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). For each quantitative imaging method, this article reviews the technique, its measurement mechanism, and selected clinical applications to body imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj D Serai
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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11
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Velasco C, Cruz G, Lavin B, Hua A, Fotaki A, Botnar RM, Prieto C. Simultaneous T 1 , T 2 , and T 1ρ cardiac magnetic resonance fingerprinting for contrast agent-free myocardial tissue characterization. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:1992-2002. [PMID: 34799854 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a simultaneous T1 , T2 , and T1ρ cardiac magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) approach to enable comprehensive contrast agent-free myocardial tissue characterization in a single breath-hold scan. METHODS A 2D gradient-echo electrocardiogram-triggered cardiac MRF sequence with low flip angles, varying magnetization preparation, and spiral trajectory was acquired at 1.5 T to encode T1 , T2 , and T1⍴ simultaneously. The MRF images were reconstructed using low-rank inversion, regularized with a multicontrast patch-based higher-order reconstruction. Parametric maps were generated and matched in the singular value domain to extended phase graph-based dictionaries. The proposed approach was tested in phantoms and 10 healthy subjects and compared against conventional methods in terms of coefficients of determination and best fits for the phantom study, and in terms of Bland-Altman agreement, average values and coefficient of variation of T1 , T2 , and T1⍴ for the healthy subjects study. RESULTS The T1 , T2 , and T1⍴ MRF values showed excellent correlation with conventional spin-echo and clinical mapping methods in phantom studies (r2 > 0.97). Measured MRF values in myocardial tissue (mean ± SD) were 1133 ± 33 ms, 38.8 ± 3.5 ms, and 52.0 ± 4.0 ms for T1 , T2 and T1⍴ , respectively, against 1053 ± 47 ms, 50.4 ± 3.9 ms, and 55.9 ± 3.3 ms for T1 modified Look-Locker inversion imaging, T2 gradient and spin echo, and T1⍴ turbo field echo, respectively. CONCLUSION A cardiac MRF approach for simultaneous quantification of myocardial T1 , T2 , and T1ρ in a single breath-hold MR scan of about 16 seconds has been proposed. The approach has been investigated in phantoms and healthy subjects showing good agreement with reference spin echo measurements and conventional clinical maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Velasco
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gastão Cruz
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Begoña Lavin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alina Hua
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anastasia Fotaki
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - René M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Prieto
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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12
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Velasco C, Cruz G, Jaubert O, Lavin B, Botnar RM, Prieto C. Simultaneous comprehensive liver T 1 , T 2 , T 2 ∗ , T 1ρ , and fat fraction characterization with MR fingerprinting. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:1980-1991. [PMID: 34792212 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a novel simultaneous co-registered T1 , T2 , T 2 ∗ , T1ρ , and fat fraction abdominal MR fingerprinting (MRF) approach for fully comprehensive liver-tissue characterization in a single breath-hold scan. METHODS A gradient-echo liver MRF sequence with low fixed flip angle, multi-echo radial readout, and varying magnetization preparation pulses for multiparametric encoding is performed at 1.5 T. The T 2 ∗ and fat fraction are estimated from a graph/cut water/fat separation method using a six-peak fat model. Water/fat singular images obtained are then matched to an MRF dictionary, estimating water-specific T1 , T2 , and T1ρ . The proposed approach was tested in phantoms and 10 healthy subjects and compared against conventional sequences. RESULTS For the phantom studies, linear fits show excellent coefficients of determination (r2 > 0.9) for every parametric map. For in vivo studies, the average values measured within regions of interest drawn on liver, spleen, muscle, and fat are statistically different from the reference scans (p < 0.05) for T1 , T2 , and T1⍴ but not for T 2 ∗ and fat fraction, whereas correlation between MRF and reference scans is excellent for each parameter (r2 > 0.92 for every parameter). CONCLUSION The proposed multi-echo inversion-recovery, T2 , and T1⍴ prepared liver MRF sequence presented in this work allows for quantitative T1 , T2 , T 2 ∗ , T1⍴ , and fat fraction liver-tissue characterization in a single breath-hold scan of 18 seconds. The approach showed good agreement and correlation with respect to reference clinical maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Velasco
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gastão Cruz
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Olivier Jaubert
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Begoña Lavin
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Chemistry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - René M Botnar
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia Prieto
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,School of Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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13
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Zhao F, Zhou N, Wang JL, Zhou H, Zou LQ, Zhong WX, He J, Zheng CJ, Yan SX, Wáng YXJ. Collagen deposition in the liver is strongly and positively associated with T1rho elongation while fat deposition is associated with T1rho shortening: an experimental study of methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet rat model. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:2307-2321. [PMID: 33269229 PMCID: PMC7596395 DOI: 10.21037/qims-20-651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A number of questions concerning the histological mechanism of elongated T1rho in liver fibrosis remain unanswered. Using a rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced with methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet, the primary aim of this study is to clarify whether collagen deposition per se causes liver T1rho elongation. METHODS There were 45 rats in the NAFLD model group and 8 rats in the control group. NAFLD model rats were fed MCD diet for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 weeks, respectively. At the endpoint, the rats had in vivo MRI at 3.0 T and followed by histology. For T1rho data acquisition, a rotary echo spin-lock pulse was implemented in a three-dimensional fast field echo sequence with frequency selective fat suppression. The spin-lock frequency was set to 500 Hz, and the spin-lock times of 5, 10, 40, and 50 ms were used. Liver specimens were processed with hematoxylin-eosin staining for steatosis and inflammation evaluation, and Masson's trichrome staining for collagen visualization. The semiquantitative histopathological evaluation was based on NASH Clinical Research Network criteria. Histomorphometric analysis calculated percentages of fat and collagen accumulations in the livers. RESULTS A strong (r=0.82) and significant (P<0.0001) positive correlation between liver collagen content and liver T1rho was observed. Rats with no or minimal inflammation could have very long T1rho value. Among experimental rats without a positive fibrosis grading, five rats did not have an inflammation score (i.e., had minimal inflammation or no inflammation) while four had a positive inflammation score; the difference in liver T1rho between these two types of rats was minimal. Eight control rat livers and 15 stage-1 fibrosis rat livers were separated by liver T1rho completely. When four subgroups of experiment rats were selected where the liver collagen had a very narrow range within these subgroups, all these four subgroups showed a trend of negative correlation between liver fat and liver T1rho. CONCLUSIONS Collagen deposition in the live strongly contributes to liver T1rho elongation, while fat deposition contributes to T1rho shortening. In a well-controlled experimental setting, T1rho measure alone allows separation of healthy livers and stage-1 liver fibrosis in the MCD rat liver model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ji-Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li-Qiu Zou
- Department of Radiology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei-Xiang Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Cun-Jing Zheng
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sen-Xiang Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yì Xiáng J. Wáng
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Kennedy P, Bane O, Hectors SJ, Fischman A, Schiano T, Lewis S, Taouli B. Noninvasive imaging assessment of portal hypertension. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:3473-3495. [PMID: 32926209 PMCID: PMC10124623 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02729-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PH) is a spectrum of complications of chronic liver disease (CLD) and cirrhosis, with manifestations including ascites, gastroesophageal varices, splenomegaly, hypersplenism, hepatic hydrothorax, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. PH can vary in severity and is diagnosed via invasive hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement (HVPG), which is considered the reference standard. Accurate diagnosis of PH and assessment of severity are highly relevant as patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are at higher risk for developing acute variceal bleeding and mortality. In this review, we discuss current and upcoming noninvasive imaging methods for diagnosis and assessment of severity of PH.
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Marti-Aguado D, Rodríguez-Ortega A, Alberich-Bayarri A, Marti-Bonmati L. Magnetic Resonance imaging analysis of liver fibrosis and inflammation: overwhelming gray zones restrict clinical use. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2020; 45:3557-3568. [PMID: 32857259 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02713-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) identification and grading of subjects with liver fibrosis and inflammation represents a clinical challenge. MR elastography plays a well-defined role in fibrosis estimation, but its use is not widely available in clinical settings. Given that liver MR is becoming the reference standard for fat and iron quantitation, there is a need to clarify whether there is any role for MR imaging in the concomitant evaluation of fibrosis and inflammation in this setting. This review summarizes the diagnostic estimations of different MR imaging parameters obtained from conventional non-contrast-enhanced multiple b values diffusion-weighted acquisitions, variable flip angles T1 relaxation maps and STIR images. Although some derived parameters have shown a significant correlation to histological scores, a small magnitude of effect with wide overlap across severity grades is the rule. Contrary to fat and iron quantification, the low precision and reproducibility of MR imaging metrics limits its clinical relevance in fibrosis and inflammation assessment. In a sequential clinical approach combining different methodologies, MR imaging has no applicability for ruling-out and low accuracy for ruling-in advanced fibrosis. Thereby, MR elastography remains as the only image method with high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of advanced fibrosis. Until date, inflammation remains in a gray zone where biopsy cannot be replaced, and further investigations are needed. The present review offers an in-depth discuss of the MR imaging diagnostic performance for the evaluation of liver fibrosis and inflammation, highlighting the need for scientific improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Marti-Aguado
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinic University Hospital, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230 and PREBI), and Imaging La Fe Node at Distributed Network for Biomedical Imaging (ReDIB) Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS), La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Rodríguez-Ortega
- Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230 and PREBI), and Imaging La Fe Node at Distributed Network for Biomedical Imaging (ReDIB) Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS), La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Alberich-Bayarri
- Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230 and PREBI), and Imaging La Fe Node at Distributed Network for Biomedical Imaging (ReDIB) Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS), La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers in Medicine, QUIBIM SL, Valencia, Spain
| | - L Marti-Bonmati
- Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230 and PREBI), and Imaging La Fe Node at Distributed Network for Biomedical Imaging (ReDIB) Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS), La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
- Radiology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Av Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
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16
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Hectors SJ, Bane O, Stocker D, Carbonell G, Lewis S, Kennedy P, Schiano TD, Thung S, Fischman A, Taouli B. Splenic T 1ρ as a noninvasive biomarker for portal hypertension. J Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 52:787-794. [PMID: 32073207 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need for noninvasive methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of portal hypertension (PH). PURPOSE To 1) assess the correlation of liver and spleen T1 and T1ρ measurements with portal pressures in patients with chronic liver disease, and 2) to compare the diagnostic performance of the relaxation parameters with radiological assessment of PH. STUDY TYPE Prospective. SUBJECTS Twenty-five patients (M/F 16/9, mean age 56 years, range 21-78 years) undergoing portal pressure (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG]) measurements. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 1.5T abdominal MRI scan, including T1ρ and T1 mapping. ASSESSMENT Liver and spleen T1ρ and T1 , radiological PH score, and (normalized) spleen length were evaluated. STATISTICAL TESTS Spearman correlation of all MRI parameters with HVPG was assessed. The diagnostic performance of the assessed parameters for prediction of PH (HVPG ≥5 mmHg) and clinically significant PH (CSPH, HVPG ≥10 mmHg) was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS The mean HVPG measurement was 7.8 ± 5.3 mmHg (PH, n = 18 [72%] including CSPH, n = 9 [36%]). PH score, (normalized) spleen length and spleen T1ρ significantly correlated with HVPG, with the strongest correlation found for spleen T1ρ (r = 0.613, P = 0.001). Spleen T1ρ was the only parameter that showed significant diagnostic performance for assessment of PH (area under the curve [AUC] 0.817, P = 0.015) and CSPH (AUC = 0.778, P = 0.024). Normalized spleen length also showed significant diagnostic performance for prediction of CSPH, with a slightly lower AUC (= 0.764, P = 0.031). The radiological PH score, T1ρ and T1 of the liver and T1 of the spleen, did not show significant diagnostic performance for assessment of CSPH (P > 0.075). DATA CONCLUSION Spleen T1ρ showed a significant correlation with portal pressure and showed improved diagnostic performance for prediction of CSPH compared to radiological assessment. These initial results need confirmation in a larger cohort. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:787-794.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie J Hectors
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Octavia Bane
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Stocker
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Institute of Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Guillermo Carbonell
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Sara Lewis
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paul Kennedy
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Thomas D Schiano
- Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Swan Thung
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Aaron Fischman
- Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bachir Taouli
- BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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17
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Xie S, Qi H, Li Q, Zhang K, Zhang L, Cheng Y, Shen W. Liver injury monitoring, fibrosis staging and inflammation grading using T1rho magnetic resonance imaging: an experimental study in rats with carbon tetrachloride intoxication. BMC Gastroenterol 2020; 20:14. [PMID: 31941457 PMCID: PMC6964054 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-020-1161-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the merit of T1rho relaxation for the evaluation of liver fibrosis, inflammatory activity, and liver injury monitoring in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced rat model. Methods Model rats from CCl4-induced liver fibrosis (fibrosis group: n = 41; regression group: n = 20) and control (n = 11) groups underwent black blood T1rho magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI). Injection of CCl4 was done twice weekly for up to 12 weeks in the fibrosis group and for up to 6 weeks in the regression group. MR scanning time points were at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after CCl4 injection in the fibrosis group and at baseline and at 2, 4, 6 (CCl4 withdrawal), 7, 8, 10 and 12 weeks in the regression group. Results In the fibrosis group, liver T1rho values increased gradually within week 8 and then decreased. In the regression group, T1rho values dropped gradually after the withdrawal of CCl4 and fell below those at baseline. The T1rho values at S0 were lower than those at any other stage (all P < 0.05). The T1rho values at G0 were significantly lower than those at any other grade, and G1 was lower than G2 (all P < 0.01). The T1rho values mildly correlated with fibrosis stages (r = 0.362) and moderately correlated with grades of inflammation (r = 0.568). The T1rho values of rats with the same inflammation grades showed no significant difference among different fibrosis stages, and the T1rho values at S3 showed a significant difference among different grades of inflammation (P = 0.024). Inflammation grade was an independent variable associated with T1rho values (P < 0.001). Conclusion T1rho MRI can be used to monitor CCl4-induced liver injury, and inflammatory activity had a greater impact on liver T1rho values than fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Xie
- Department of Radiology, First Central Hospital Clinical Institute, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Hanxiong Qi
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin medical imaging institute, 24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin medical imaging institute, 24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin medical imaging institute, 24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Longjiang Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Jinling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, 305 Zhongshan East Road, Nanjing, 210002, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin medical imaging institute, 24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin medical imaging institute, 24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, 300192, China.
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Combined morphological and functional liver MRI using spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame (T1ρ) in conjunction with Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced MRI. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2083. [PMID: 30765741 PMCID: PMC6375916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37689-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive early detection of liver cirrhosis and fibrosis is essential for management and therapy. The aim was to investigated whether a combination of the functional parameter relative enhancement (RE) on Gadoxetic Acid magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI) and the fibrosis parameter T1ρ distinguishes cirrhosis and healthy liver. We analyzed patients with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and T1ρ mapping. Signal intensity was measured before and after contrast; RE was calculated. T1ρ was measured with circular regions of interest (T1ρ-cROI). A quotient of RE and T1ρ-cROI was calculated: the fibrosis function quotient (FFQ). Cirrhosis was evaluated based on morphology and secondary changes. 213 datasets were included. The difference between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic liver was 51.11 ms vs. 47.56 ms for T1ρ-cROI (p < 0.001), 0.59 vs. 0.70 for RE (p < 0.001), and 89.53 vs. 70.83 for FFQ (p < 0.001). T1ρ-cROI correlated with RE, r = −0.14 (p < 0.05). RE had an AUC of 0.73. The largest AUC had the FFQ with 0.79. The best cutoff value was 48.34 ms for T1ρ-cROI, 0.70 for RE and 78.59 ms for FFQ. In conclusion T1ρ and RE can distinguish between cirrhotic and noncirrhotic liver. The FFQ, which is the combination of the two, improves diagnostic performance.
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Hectors SJ, Bane O, Kennedy P, El Salem F, Menon M, Segall M, Khaim R, Delaney V, Lewis S, Taouli B. T 1ρ mapping for assessment of renal allograft fibrosis. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 50:1085-1091. [PMID: 30666744 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an unmet need for noninvasive methods to diagnose and stage renal allograft fibrosis. PURPOSE To investigate the utility of T1ρ measured with MRI for the assessment of fibrosis in renal allografts. STUDY TYPE Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved prospective. SUBJECTS Fifteen patients with stable functional allograft (M/F 9/6, mean age 56 years) and 12 patients with allograft dysfunction and established fibrosis (M/F 6/6, mean age 51 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE T1ρ imaging at 1.5T using a custom-developed sequence. ASSESSMENT Average T1ρ in the cortex and medulla was quantified and T1ρ repeatability (expressed by the coefficient of variation [CV]) was measured in four patients. STATISTICAL TESTS Differences in T1ρ values between the 2 groups were assessed using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Diagnostic performance of T1ρ for differentiation between functional and fibrotic allografts was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Spearman correlations of T1ρ with Masson's trichrome-stained fractions and serum estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were assessed. RESULTS Higher T1ρ repeatability was found for cortex compared with medulla (mean CV T1ρ cortex 7.4%, medulla 13.3%). T1ρ values were significantly higher in the cortex of fibrotic vs. functional allografts (111.8 ± 17.2 msec vs. 99.0 ± 11.0 msec, P = 0.027), while there was no difference in medullary T1ρ values (122.6 ± 20.8 msec vs. 124.3 ± 20.8 msec, P = 0.789). Cortical T1ρ significantly correlated with Masson's trichrome-stained fractions (r = 0.515, P = 0.044) and eGFR (r = -0.546, P = 0.004), and demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.77 for differentiating between functional and fibrotic allografts (sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 86.7%, using threshold of 106.9 msec). DATA CONCLUSION Our preliminary results suggest that T1ρ is a potential imaging biomarker of renal allograft fibrosis. These results should be verified in a larger study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1085-1091.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie J Hectors
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Octavia Bane
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Paul Kennedy
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fadi El Salem
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Madhav Menon
- Division of Renal Medicine, Recanati Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maxwell Segall
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rafael Khaim
- Division of Renal Medicine, Recanati Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Veronica Delaney
- Division of Renal Medicine, Recanati Miller Transplantation Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sara Lewis
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bachir Taouli
- Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Li S, Sun X, Chen M, Ying Z, Wan Y, Pi L, Ren B, Cao Q. Liver Fibrosis Conventional and Molecular Imaging Diagnosis Update. JOURNAL OF LIVER 2019; 8:236. [PMID: 31341723 PMCID: PMC6653681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a serious, life-threatening disease with high morbidity and mortality that result from diverse causes. Liver biopsy, considered the "gold standard" to diagnose, grade, and stage liver fibrosis, has limitations in terms of invasiveness, cost, sampling variability, inter-observer variability, and the dynamic process of fibrosis. Compelling evidence has demonstrated that all stages of fibrosis are reversible if the injury is removed. There is a clear need for safe, effective, and reliable non-invasive assessment modalities to determine liver fibrosis in order to manage it precisely in personalized medicine. However, conventional imaging methods used to assess morphological and structural changes related to liver fibrosis, including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are only useful in assessing advanced liver disease, including cirrhosis. Functional imaging techniques, including MR elastography (MRE), US elastography, and CT perfusion are useful for assessing moderate to advanced liver fibrosis. MRE is considered the most accurate noninvasive imaging technique, and US elastography is currently the most widely used noninvasive means. However, these modalities are less accurate in early-stage liver fibrosis and some factors affect the accuracy of these techniques. Molecular imaging is a target-specific imaging mechanism that has the potential to accurately diagnose early-stage liver fibrosis. We provide an overview of recent advances in molecular imaging for the diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis which will enable clinicians to monitor the progression of disease and potentially reverse liver fibrosis. We compare the promising technologies with conventional and functional imaging and assess the utility of molecular imaging in precision and personalized clinical medicine in the early stages of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujing Li
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Department of Radiology, The first affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, P.R.China
| | - Xicui Sun
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Minjie Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhekang Ying
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yamin Wan
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, P.R.China
| | - Liya Pi
- Department of Pediatrics in the College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Bin Ren
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Alabama, USA
| | - Qi Cao
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Corresponding author: Qi Cao, MD. Ph.D, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine University of Maryland School of Medicine, West Baltimore, Street Baltimore, Maryland, USA, Tel: +1 410-706-6432;,
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to discuss the current imaging techniques for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis (LF). RECENT FINDINGS Elastography-based techniques are the most widely used imaging methods for the evaluation of LF. Currently, MR elastography (MRE) is the most accurate non-invasive method for detection and staging of LF. Ultrasound-based vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) is the most widely used as it can be easily performed at the point of care but has technical limitations especially in the obese. Innovations and technical improvements continue to evolve in elastography for improving accuracy and avoiding misinterpretation from confounding factors. Other imaging methods including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), hepatocellular contrast-enhanced (HCE) MRI, T1 relaxometry, T1ρ imaging, textural analysis, liver surface nodularity, susceptibility-weighted imaging, and perfusion imaging are promising but need further evaluation and clinical validation. MRE is the most accurate imaging technique for assessment of LF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishi Philip Mathew
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200, First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Sudhakar Kundapur Venkatesh
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200, First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
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Serai SD, Trout AT, Miethke A, Diaz E, Xanthakos SA, Dillman JR. Putting it all together: established and emerging MRI techniques for detecting and measuring liver fibrosis. Pediatr Radiol 2018; 48:1256-1272. [PMID: 30078038 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-018-4083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic injury to the liver leads to inflammation and hepatocyte necrosis, which when untreated can lead to myofibroblast activation and fibrogenesis with deposition of fibrous tissue. Over time, liver fibrosis can accumulate and lead to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease with associated portal hypertension and liver failure. Detection and accurate measurement of the severity of liver fibrosis are important for assessing disease severity and progression, directing patient management, and establishing prognosis. Liver biopsy, generally considered the clinical standard of reference for detecting and measuring liver fibrosis, is invasive and has limitations, including sampling error, relatively high cost, and possible complications. For these reasons, liver biopsy is suboptimal for fibrosis screening, longitudinal monitoring, and assessing therapeutic efficacy. A variety of established and emerging qualitative and quantitative noninvasive MRI methods for detecting and staging liver fibrosis might ultimately serve these purposes. In this article, we review multiple MRI methods for detecting and measuring liver fibrosis and discuss the diagnostic performance and specific strengths and limitations of the various techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj D Serai
- Department of Radiology, MLC 5031, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA. .,Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Andrew T Trout
- Department of Radiology, MLC 5031, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Alexander Miethke
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Eric Diaz
- Department of Radiology, MLC 5031, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Stavra A Xanthakos
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jonathan R Dillman
- Department of Radiology, MLC 5031, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
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Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a hallmark of chronic liver disease characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins. Although liver biopsy is the reference standard for diagnosis and staging of liver fibrosis, it has some limitations, including potential pain, sampling variability, and low patient acceptance. Hence, there has been an effort to develop noninvasive imaging techniques for diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of liver fibrosis. Many quantitative techniques have been implemented on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for this indication. The most widely validated technique is magnetic resonance elastography, which aims to measure viscoelastic properties of the liver and relate them to fibrosis stage. Several additional MRI methods have been developed or adapted to liver fibrosis quantification. Diffusion-weighted imaging measures the Brownian motion of water molecules which is restricted by collagen fibers. Texture analysis assesses the changes in the texture of liver parenchyma associated with fibrosis. Perfusion imaging relies on signal intensity and pharmacokinetic models to extract quantitative perfusion parameters. Hepatocellular function, which decreases with increasing fibrosis stage, can be estimated by the uptake of hepatobiliary contrast agents. Strain imaging measures liver deformation in response to physiological motion such as cardiac contraction. T1ρ quantification is an investigational technique, which measures the spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame. This article will review the MRI techniques used in liver fibrosis staging, their advantages and limitations, and diagnostic performance. We will briefly discuss future directions, such as longitudinal monitoring of disease, prediction of portal hypertension, and risk stratification of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Li RK, Ren XP, Yan FH, Qiang JW, Lin HM, Tao Wang, Zhao HF, Chen WB. Liver fibrosis detection and staging: a comparative study of T1ρ MR imaging and 2D real-time shear-wave elastography. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2018; 43:1713-1722. [PMID: 29198003 PMCID: PMC6061497 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-017-1381-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To compare the results of T1ρ MR imaging and 2D real-time shear-wave elastography (SWE) for liver fibrosis detection and staging. Methods Twenty-nine rabbit models of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis were established and six untreated rabbits served as controls. T1ρ MR imaging and 2D real-time SWE examination were performed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks. T1ρ values and liver stiffness (LS) values were measured. Fibrosis was staged according to the METAVIR scoring system. Correlation test was performed among T1ρ values, LS values, and fibrosis stage. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for assessing diagnostic performance of T1ρ and SWE in detection of no fibrosis (F0), substantial fibrosis (≥ F2), severe fibrosis (≥ F3), and cirrhosis (F4). Results There was moderate positive correlation between fibrosis stage and T1ρ values (r = 0.566; 95% CI 0.291–0.754; P < 0.0001), and LS value (r = 0.726; 95% CI 0.521–0.851; P = 0.003). T1ρ values showed moderate positive correlations with LS values [r = 0.693; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.472–0.832; P < 0.0001]. Areas Under ROC (AUROCs) were 0.861 (95% CI 0.705–0.953) for SWE and 0.856 (95% CI 0.698–0.950) for T1ρ (P = 0.940), 0.906 (95% CI 0.762–0.978) for SWE and 0.849 (95% CI 0.691–0.946) for T1ρ (P = 0.414), 0.870 (95% CI 0.716–0.958) for SWE and 0.799 (95% CI 0.632–0.913) for T1ρ (P = 0.422), and 0.846 (95% CI 0.687–0.944) for SWE and 0.692 (95% CI 0.517–0.835) for T1ρ (P = 0.137), when diagnosing liver fibrosis with ≥ F1, ≥ F2, ≥ F3, and F4, respectively. There was moderate positive correlation between inflammatory activity and T1ρ values (r = 0.520; 95% CI 0.158–0.807; P = 0.013). Conclusion T1ρ imaging has potential for liver fibrosis detection and staging with good diagnostic capability similar to that of ultrasonography elastography.
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Wáng YXJ, Deng M, Lo GG, Liang D, Yuan J, Chen W. Breath-hold black-blood T1rho mapping improves liver T1rho quantification in healthy volunteers. Acta Radiol 2018; 59:257-265. [PMID: 28679324 DOI: 10.1177/0284185117717764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Background Recent researches suggest that T1rho may be a non-invasive and quantitative technique for detecting and grading liver fibrosis. Purpose To compare a multi-breath-hold bright-blood fast gradient echo (GRE) imaging and a single breath-hold single-shot fast spin echo (FSE) imaging with black-blood effect for liver parenchyma T1rho measurement and to study liver physiological T1rho value in healthy volunteers. Material and Methods The institutional Ethics Committee approved this study. 28 healthy participants (18 men, 10 women; age = 29.6 ± 5.1 years) underwent GRE liver T1rho imaging, and 20 healthy participants (10 men, 10 women; age = 36.9 ± 10.3 years) underwent novel black-blood FSE liver T1rho imaging, both at 3T with spin-lock frequency of 500 Hz. The FSE technique allows simultaneous acquisition of four spin lock times (TSLs; 1 ms, 10 ms, 30 ms, 50msec) in 10 s. Results For FSE technique the intra-scan repeatability intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.98; while the inter-scan reproducibility ICC was 0.82 which is better than GRE technique's 0.76. Liver T1rho value in women tended to have a higher value than T1rho values in men (FSE: 42.28 ± 4.06 ms for women and 39.13 ± 2.12 ms for men; GRE: 44.44 ± 1.62 ms for women and 42.36 ± 2.00 ms for men) and FSE technique showed liver T1rho value decreased slightly as age increased. Conclusion Single breath-hold black-blood FSE sequence has better scan-rescan reproducibility than multi-breath-hold bright-blood GRE sequence. Gender and age dependence of liver T1rho in healthy participants is observed, with young women tending to have a higher T1rho measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yì Xiáng J Wáng
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Min Deng
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Gladys G Lo
- Department of Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Happy Valley, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Dong Liang
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Medical Physics and Research Department, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Happy Valley, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Weitian Chen
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
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Wáng YXJ, Deng M, Lin J, Kwok AWL, Liu EKW, Chen W. Age- and Gender-Associated Liver Physiological T1rho Dynamics Demonstrated with a Clinically Applicable Single-Breathhold Acquisition. SLAS Technol 2017; 23:179-187. [PMID: 29241024 DOI: 10.1177/2472630317747198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
To understand women's and men's physiological ranges of liver T1rho relaxation time measured with a single breathhold black blood sequence, this healthy volunteer study was conducted in 62 women (mean age, 38.9 y; range, 18-75 y) and 34 men (mean age, 44.7 y; range, 24-80 y). Approval from the institutional ethics committee was obtained. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed with a 3.0T scanner with six spin-lock times of 0, 10, 20, 25, 35, and 50 ms and a single breathhold of 12 s per slice acquisition. Six slices were acquired for each examination. The results demonstrated that the female liver T1rho value ranged between 35.07 and 51.97 ms and showed an age-dependent decrease, with younger women having a higher measurement. The male liver T1rho value ranged between 34.94 and 43.39 ms, with no evidential age dependence. Postmenopausal women had similar liver T1rho values as men. For women, there was a trend that the liver T1rho value could be 4% to 5% lower during the menstrual phase than during the nonmenstrual phase. For both women and men, no evidential association was seen between body mass index and liver T1rho.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yì Xiáng J Wáng
- 1 Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Min Deng
- 1 Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Jiang Lin
- 2 Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Anthony W L Kwok
- 3 Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Eric K W Liu
- 1 Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Weitian Chen
- 1 Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR
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Quantitative assessment of liver function with whole-liver T1rho mapping at 3.0T. Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 46:75-80. [PMID: 29109053 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the segmental liver function in healthy subjects and liver cirrhosis (LC) patients with different Child-Pugh grades using whole-liver T1rho mapping at 3.0T. METHODS Thirty-three healthy volunteers and 33 patients with clinically diagnosed LC were examined using a three-dimensional (3D) whole-liver coverage T1rho mapping. T1rho maps were calculated from five respiratory-triggered sequences with different spin-lock durations (0, 10, 20, 40, and 60ms). The patients were classified into group A with Child-Pugh A cirrhosis and group B with Child-Pugh B or C cirrhosis. The hepatic T1rho values in different segments of the healthy volunteers and LC patients were compared, and receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were plotted to determine the performance of T1rho. RESULTS The median T1rho value of the patients (Child-Pugh class A: 47.07ms; Child-Pugh classes B and C: 51.09ms) was significantly higher than that of the healthy volunteers (39.37ms, P<0.001). No remarkable variations among different hepatic segments in LC patients with various Child-Pugh grades were found (P>0.05). The T1rho values of the liver parenchyma were significantly correlated with albumin (r=-0.590, P<0.001) and prothrombin time (r=0.601, P<0.001). The T1rho values in patients increased with an increase in the Child-Pugh classification (r=0.574, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The whole-liver coverage T1rho sequence at 3.0T was feasible for the assessment of segmental liver function. T1rho relaxation might be a potential biomarker for the estimation of liver function in LC patients.
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Wáng YXJ, Chen W, Deng M. How liver pathologies contribute to T1rho contrast require more careful studies. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2017; 7:608-613. [PMID: 29184772 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2017.10.02] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yì Xiáng J Wáng
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Weitian Chen
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Min Deng
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Xie S, Li Q, Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Zhuo Z, Zhao G, Shen W. Impact of Liver Fibrosis and Fatty Liver on T1rho Measurements: A Prospective Study. Korean J Radiol 2017; 18:898-905. [PMID: 29089822 PMCID: PMC5639155 DOI: 10.3348/kjr.2017.18.6.898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the liver T1rho values for detecting fibrosis, and the potential impact of fatty liver on T1rho measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 18 healthy subjects, 18 patients with fatty liver, and 18 patients with liver fibrosis, who underwent T1rho MRI and mDIXON collections. Liver T1rho, proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and T2* values were measured and compared among the three groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the T1rho values for detecting liver fibrosis. Liver T1rho values were correlated with PDFF, T2* values and clinical data. RESULTS Liver T1rho and PDFF values were significantly different (p < 0.001), whereas the T2* (p = 0.766) values were similar, among the three groups. Mean liver T1rho values in the fibrotic group (52.6 ± 6.8 ms) were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (44.9 ± 2.8 ms, p < 0.001) and fatty liver group (45.0 ± 3.5 ms, p < 0.001). Mean liver T1rho values were similar between healthy subjects and fatty liver group (p = 0.999). PDFF values in the fatty liver group (16.07 ± 10.59%) were significantly higher than those of healthy subjects (1.43 ± 1.36%, p < 0.001) and fibrosis group (1.07 ± 1.06%, p < 0.001). PDFF values were similar in healthy subjects and fibrosis group (p = 0.984). Mean T1rho values performed well to detect fibrosis at a threshold of 49.5 ms (area under the ROC curve, 0.855), had a moderate correlation with liver stiffness (r = 0.671, p = 0.012), and no correlation with PDFF, T2* values, subject age, or body mass index (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION T1rho MRI is useful for noninvasive detection of liver fibrosis, and may not be affected with the presence of fatty liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangshuang Xie
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Qing Li
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yue Cheng
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Beijing 100600, China
| | - Zhizheng Zhuo
- Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare, Beijing 100600, China
| | - Guiming Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, Tianjin Second People's Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Wen Shen
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin First Center Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China
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Wang P, Zhu H, Kang H, Gore JC. R 1ρ dispersion and sodium imaging in human calf muscle. Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 42:139-143. [PMID: 28751202 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the magnitude of chemical exchange effects and R1ρ dispersion in muscle and their relationship to tissue sodium levels with aging. METHODS Seven healthy volunteers (aged 24 to 87years, median age 47) underwent MRI to assess tissue sodium levels and water T1ρ values at different spin-locking frequencies in calf muscles. T1ρ values at each locking field were computed based on a three-parameter mono-exponential model to fit signals obtained at different locking times, and R1ρ (=1/T1ρ) rates were compared at different locking fields. In particular, the dispersion of R1ρ (ΔR1ρ=R1ρ(0Hz)-R1ρ(500Hz)) was examined as a function of subject age. Muscle sodium content was calculated by comparing signal intensities between tissues and reference standards within the same image. The variations of ΔR1ρ with age and sodium were analyzed by linear regression. RESULTS T1ρ values and sodium content both increased with age. R1ρ dispersion also increased with age and showed a strong linear correlation (correlation coefficient r=0.98, P=0.000578) with sodium content. CONCLUSION ΔR1ρ reports on the contribution of labile protons such as hydroxyls which may be associated with macromolecule accumulation in the extracellular matrix (ECM). An increase of sodium signal suggests an enlarged ECM volume fraction and/or an increase in sodium concentration, which occurs during normal aging. The strong correlation between ΔR1ρ and sodium is likely the consequence of increased ECM and density of total charged sites within the matrix from molecules such as collagens and proteoglycans. The results from this study show the potential use of R1ρ dispersion and sodium imaging in the assessment of pathological changes in muscle such as fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - He Zhu
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Hakmook Kang
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John C Gore
- Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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31
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Unal E, Idilman IS, Karçaaltıncaba M. Multiparametric or practical quantitative liver MRI: towards millisecond, fat fraction, kilopascal and function era. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 11:167-182. [PMID: 27937040 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2017.1271710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
New advances in liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may enable diagnosis of unseen pathologies by conventional techniques. Normal T1 (550-620 ms for 1.5 T and 700-850 ms for 3 T), T2, T2* (>20 ms), T1rho (40-50 ms) mapping, proton density fat fraction (PDFF) (≤5%) and stiffness (2-3kPa) values can enable differentiation of a normal liver from chronic liver and diffuse diseases. Gd-EOB-DTPA can enable assessment of liver function by using postcontrast hepatobiliary phase or T1 reduction rate (normally above 60%). T1 mapping can be important for the assessment of fibrosis, amyloidosis and copper overload. T1rho mapping is promising for the assessment of liver collagen deposition. PDFF can allow objective treatment assessment in NAFLD and NASH patients. T2 and T2* are used for iron overload determination. MR fingerprinting may enable single slice acquisition and easy implementation of multiparametric MRI and follow-up of patients. Areas covered: T1, T2, T2*, PDFF and stiffness, diffusion weighted imaging, intravoxel incoherent motion imaging (ADC, D, D* and f values) and function analysis are reviewed. Expert commentary: Multiparametric MRI can enable biopsyless diagnosis and more objective staging of diffuse liver disease, cirrhosis and predisposing diseases. A comprehensive approach is needed to understand and overcome the effects of iron, fat, fibrosis, edema, inflammation and copper on MR relaxometry values in diffuse liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Unal
- a Liver Imaging Team, Department of Radiology , Hacettepe University School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.,b Department of Radiology , Zonguldak Ataturk State Hospital , Zonguldak , Turkey
| | - Ilkay Sedakat Idilman
- a Liver Imaging Team, Department of Radiology , Hacettepe University School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey.,c Department of Radiology , Ankara Ataturk Education and Research Hospital , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Muşturay Karçaaltıncaba
- a Liver Imaging Team, Department of Radiology , Hacettepe University School of Medicine , Ankara , Turkey
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Petitclerc L, Sebastiani G, Gilbert G, Cloutier G, Tang A. Liver fibrosis: Review of current imaging and MRI quantification techniques. J Magn Reson Imaging 2016; 45:1276-1295. [PMID: 27981751 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen in the liver interstitial space. All causes of chronic liver disease may lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The severity of liver fibrosis influences the decision to treat or the need to monitor hepatic or extrahepatic complications. The traditional reference standard for diagnosis of liver fibrosis is liver biopsy. However, this technique is invasive, associated with a risk of sampling error, and has low patient acceptance. Imaging techniques offer the potential for noninvasive diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of liver fibrosis. Recently, several of these have been implemented on ultrasound (US), computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Techniques that assess changes in liver morphology, texture, or perfusion that accompany liver fibrosis have been implemented on all three imaging modalities. Elastography, which measures changes in mechanical properties associated with liver fibrosis-such as strain, stiffness, or viscoelasticity-is available on US and MRI. Some techniques assessing liver shear stiffness have been adopted clinically, whereas others assessing strain or viscoelasticity remain investigational. Further, some techniques are only available on MRI-such as spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1 ρ), diffusion of water molecules, and hepatocellular function based on the uptake of a liver-specific contrast agent-remain investigational in the setting of liver fibrosis staging. In this review, we summarize the key concepts, advantages and limitations, and diagnostic performance of each technique. The use of multiparametric MRI techniques offers the potential for comprehensive assessment of chronic liver disease severity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;45:1276-1295.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léonie Petitclerc
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Giada Sebastiani
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guillaume Gilbert
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,MR Clinical Science, Philips Healthcare Canada, Markham, Ontario, Canada
| | - Guy Cloutier
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Laboratory of Biorheology and Medical Ultrasonics, CRCHUM, 900 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - An Tang
- Department of Radiology, Radio-Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Koon CM, Zhang X, Chen W, Chu ESH, San Lau CB, Wáng YXJ. Black blood T1rho MR imaging may diagnose early stage liver fibrosis: a proof-of-principle study with rat biliary duct ligation model. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2016; 6:353-363. [PMID: 27709071 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2016.08.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To explore black blood T1rho (T1ρ) liver imaging and investigate the earliest stage when biliary duct ligation (BDL) induced liver fibrosis can be diagnosed. METHODS MR was performed at 3 Tesla. A T1ρ prepared 2D fast spin echo (FSE) sequence with acquisition of four spin lock times (TSLs: 1, 10, 30, and 50 msec) and spin-lock frequency of 500 Hz was applied. Inherent black blood effect of FSE and double inversion recovery (DIR) achieved blood signal suppression, and 3 axial sections per liver were obtained. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were scanned at baseline (n=32), and on day-3 (n=13), day-5 (n=11), day-7 (n=10), day-10 (n=4) respectively after BDL. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and picrosirius red staining liver histology was obtained at these time points. RESULTS The physiological liver parenchyma T1ρ was 38.38±1.53 msec (range, 36.05-41.53 msec). Liver T1ρ value elevated progressively after BDL. On day-10 after BDL all experimental animals can be separated from normal liver based on T1ρ measurement with lowest value being 42.82 msec. Day-7 and day-10 liver resembled METAVIR stage-F1/F2 fibrosis, and fibrous area counted for 0.22%±0.13% and 0.38%±0.44% of liver parenchyma area, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first proof-of-principle that T1ρ might diagnose early stage liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Man Koon
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China;; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China;; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Weitian Chen
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Eagle Siu Hong Chu
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Clara Bik San Lau
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China;; State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yì-Xiáng J Wáng
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Chen W, Chan Q, Wáng YXJ. Breath-hold black blood quantitative T1rho imaging of liver using single shot fast spin echo acquisition. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2016; 6:168-77. [PMID: 27190769 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2016.04.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver fibrosis is a key feature in most chronic liver diseases. T1rho magnetic resonance imaging is a potentially important technique for noninvasive diagnosis, severity grading, and therapy monitoring of liver fibrosis. However, it remains challenging to perform robust T1rho quantification of liver on human subjects. One major reason is that the presence of rich blood signal in liver can cause artificially high T1rho measurement and makes T1rho quantification susceptible to motion. METHODS A pulse sequence based on single shot fast/turbo spin echo (SSFSE/SSTSE) acquisition, with theoretical analysis and simulation based on the extended phase graph (EPG) algorithm, was presented for breath-hold single slice quantitative T1rho imaging of liver with suppression of blood signal. The pulse sequence was evaluated in human subjects at 3.0 T with 500 Hz spinlock frequency and time-of-spinlock (TSL) 0, 10, 30 and 50 ms. RESULTS Human scan demonstrated that the entire T1rho data sets with four spinlock time can be acquired within a single breath-hold of 10 seconds with black blood effect. T1rho quantification with suppression of blood signal results in significantly reduced T1rho value of liver compared to the results without blood suppression. CONCLUSIONS A signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficient pulse sequence was reported for T1rho quantification of liver. The black blood effect, together with a short breath-hold, mitigates the risk of quantification errors as would occur in the conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitian Chen
- 1 Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China ; 2 Philips Healthcare Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Queenie Chan
- 1 Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China ; 2 Philips Healthcare Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yì-Xiáng J Wáng
- 1 Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China ; 2 Philips Healthcare Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Wáng YXJ, Zhang Q, Li X, Chen W, Ahuja A, Yuan J. T1ρ magnetic resonance: basic physics principles and applications in knee and intervertebral disc imaging. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2015; 5:858-85. [PMID: 26807369 PMCID: PMC4700236 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2223-4292.2015.12.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
T1ρ relaxation time provides a new contrast mechanism that differs from T1- and T2-weighted contrast, and is useful to study low-frequency motional processes and chemical exchange in biological tissues. T1ρ imaging can be performed in the forms of T1ρ-weighted image, T1ρ mapping and T1ρ dispersion. T1ρ imaging, particularly at low spin-lock frequency, is sensitive to B0 and B1 inhomogeneity. Various composite spin-lock pulses have been proposed to alleviate the influence of field inhomogeneity so as to reduce the banding-like spin-lock artifacts. T1ρ imaging could be specific absorption rate (SAR) intensive and time consuming. Efforts to address these issues and speed-up data acquisition are being explored to facilitate wider clinical applications. This paper reviews the T1ρ imaging's basic physic principles, as well as its application for cartilage imaging and intervertebral disc imaging. Compared to more established T2 relaxation time, it has been shown that T1ρ provides more sensitive detection of proteoglycan (PG) loss at early stages of cartilage degeneration. T1ρ has also been shown to provide more sensitive evaluation of annulus fibrosis (AF) degeneration of the discs.
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