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Nagayama Y, Hokamura M, Taguchi N, Yokota Y, Osaki T, Ogasawara K, Shiraishi S, Yoshida R, Harai R, Kidoh M, Oda S, Nakaura T, Hirai T. Liver function estimation using multiphase hepatic CT: diagnostic performance of iodine-uptake and volumetric parameters. Eur Radiol 2025:10.1007/s00330-025-11497-1. [PMID: 40080190 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-025-11497-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2024] [Revised: 01/28/2025] [Accepted: 02/17/2025] [Indexed: 03/15/2025]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate whether multiphase hepatic CT can predict liver function measured with indocyanine-green-retention test (ICG-R15) and identify patients with severe liver dysfunction contraindicating major hepatectomy, defined as ICG-R15 ≥ 20%, compared to technetium-99m-galactosyl serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) scintigraphy. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included 118 patients (84 men, mean age, 69.4 ± 11.3 years) who underwent ICG-R15, 99mTc-GSA, and multi-phase CT including early portal-venous-phase and 3-min delayed-phase. CT-derived extracellular volume fraction (ECV), iodine washout rate (IWR), liver and spleen volumes normalized by body-surface-area (LV/BSA and SpV/BSA, respectively), and 99mTc-GSA-derived blood clearance index (HH15) and liver receptor index (LHL15) were quantified. Each parameter was compared between ICG-R15 ≥ 20% (n = 22) and ICG-R15 < 20% (n = 96) groups. Correlations with ICG-R15 were analyzed. The diagnostic performance to predict ICG-R15 ≥ 20% was assessed with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent CT predictors, and combined performance was determined. RESULTS In the ICG-R15 ≥ 20% group, IWR (p < 0.001), LV/BSA (p = 0.026), LHL15 (p < 0.001) were lower and ECV (p = 0.001), SpV/BSA (p = 0.005), and HH15 (p < 0.001) were higher compared to ICG-R15 < 20% group. ICG-R15 showed positive correlations with ECV (r = 0.355), SpV/BSA (r = 0.248), and HH15 (r = 0.385), while negative correlations with IWR (r = -0.523), LV/BSA (r = -0.123, not statistically significant), and LHL15 (r = -0.504). The AUC of ECV, IWR, LV/BSA, SpV/BSA, HH15, and LHL15 were 0.719, 0.845, 0.653, 0.694, 0.844, and 0.878, respectively. IWR, SpV/BSA, and LV/BSA were independent predictors, with a combined AUC of 0.924. CONCLUSION IWR predicted liver function better than ECV and hepatosplenic volumetry. The combined IWR and volumetry yielded an accurate prediction of severe liver dysfunction. KEY POINTS Question Despite the widespread use of multiphase CT in patients with hepatobiliary diseases, its potential role in assessing liver function has been scarcely evaluated. Findings Iodine washout rate (IWR), liver volume indexed by body surface area, and spleen volume indexed by body surface area were independent predictors for severe liver dysfunction. Clinical relevance Combined IWR and hepatosplenic volumetry on routine hepatic CT may help assess hepatic function for optimizing treatment strategies and predicting patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunori Nagayama
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan.
| | - Masamichi Hokamura
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Narumi Taguchi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yokota
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Takumi Osaki
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Koji Ogasawara
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Shinya Shiraishi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Ryuya Yoshida
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Ryota Harai
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Masafumi Kidoh
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Seitaro Oda
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nakaura
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
| | - Toshinori Hirai
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Chuo-ku, Japan
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Ji YH, Son IW, Hong SB, Lee NK, Kim S, Seo HI, Noh BG. Functional Liver Imaging Score (FLIS) as imaging parameter for predicting post-hepatectomy complications in patients with liver cirrhosis. Acta Radiol 2025; 66:208-217. [PMID: 39726160 DOI: 10.1177/02841851241299088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2024]
Abstract
BackgroundLiver dysfunction has been reported as a risk factor for predicting complications after hepatectomy. In patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) who underwent hepatectomy, a Functional Liver Imaging Score (FLIS), derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has never been investigated as a predictor of clinically significant post-hepatectomy complications.PurposeTo evaluate whether FLIS can predict post-hepatectomy complications in patients with LC.Material and MethodsA retrospective review was conducted of patients with LC who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and hepatectomy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify clinicopathological and radiologic findings associated with the development of major complication (Clavien-Dindo classification [CDC] ≥ III). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value of FLIS for predicting CDC ≥ III.ResultsOf the finally included 106 patients (77 men; mean age = 62.5 ± 8.3 years), 12 patients had a CDC ≥ III. Multivariable analysis showed that only FLIS independently predicted post-hepatectomy complications (odds ratio = 0.02; P = 0.01). ROC analysis suggested the FLIS ≤ 4 was the optimal cutoff for predicting CDC ≥ III (AUC value = 0.94; sensitivity = 91.67%; specificity = 95.74%; positive likelihood ratio = 21.54; and negative likelihood ratio = 0.09).ConclusionIn patients with LC, FLIS was an independent predictor of post-hepatectomy complications. FLIS showed excellent diagnostic performance in predicting post-hepatectomy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yea Hee Ji
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Wan Son
- Department of Radiology, Busan Centum Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Baek Hong
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Kyung Lee
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk Kim
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Il Seo
- Department of Surgery, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Gwan Noh
- Department of Surgery, Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Li Q, Zhang T, Yao S, Gao F, Nie L, Tang H, Song B, Wei Y. Preoperative assessment of liver regeneration using T1 mapping and the functional liver imaging score derived from Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance for patient with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy. Front Immunol 2025; 16:1516848. [PMID: 39949770 PMCID: PMC11821634 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1516848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2025] [Indexed: 02/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Objectives To explore whether T1 mapping parameters and the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) based on Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI could evaluate liver regeneration after hepatectomy for HCC patient. Methods This retrospective study finally included 60 HCC patients (48 men and 12 women, with a median age of 53 years). T1 relaxation time of liver before gadoxetic acid injection (T1pre) and during the hepatobiliary phase (T1HBP), reduction rate (Δ%) and FLIS were calculated, their correlations with liver fibrosis stage, hepatic steatosis, and liver regeneration, quantified as regeneration index (RI), were assessed by Kendall's tau-b correlation test or Spearman's correlation test. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to explore the indicator of RI. Results T1pre, T1HBP, Δ%, and FLIS manifested significant correlation with fibrosis stage (r = 0.434, P =0.001; r = 0.546, P < 0.001; r = -0.356, P =0.005; r = -0.653, P <0.001, respectively). T1pre showed significant correction with steatosis grade (r = 0.415, P =0.001). Fibrosis stage and steatosis grade were associated with RI (r = -0.436, P<0.001; r = -0.338, P =0.008). Accordingly, T1pre, T1HBP and FLIS were the significant predictors (P<0.05) of RI in multivariate analysis. Similarly, in the patients undergoing minor hepatectomy (n=35), T1HBP, Δ% and FLIS were related to RI (P<0.05) in multivariate analysis. Nevertheless, in the patients undergoing major hepatectomy (n=25), no T1 mapping parameter and FLIS was the independent predictor of RI. Conclusions T1 mapping parameters and FLIS were the potential noninvasive indicators of liver regeneration, except for HCC patients undergoing major hepatectomy. Clinical relevance statement The value of T1 mapping and FLIS with Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI for accurate preoperative evaluation of liver regeneration is critical to prevent liver failure and improve prognosis of HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shan Yao
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feifei Gao
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lisha Nie
- MRI Research, GE Healthcare (China), Beijing, China
| | - Hehan Tang
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Song
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Radiology, Sanya People’s Hospital, Sanya, China
| | - Yi Wei
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Wu X, Wang Y, He Y, Yang Y. Development and Validation of a Predictive Model for Liver Failure After Transarterial Chemoembolization Using Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced MRI and Functional Liver Imaging Score. Acad Radiol 2025:S1076-6332(24)01056-0. [PMID: 39809606 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2024.12.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2024] [Revised: 12/29/2024] [Accepted: 12/29/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2025]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Post-transarterial chemoembolization liver failure (PTLF) is a potentially fatal complication of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Accurate preoperative prediction of PTLF is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to develop and validate a prediction model based on the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) to assess the risk of PTLF. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 156 patients underwent Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI within four weeks before TACE. Two radiologists, unaware of the clinical data, independently assessed FLIS on hepatobiliary phase images to quantitatively assess liver function. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified independent predictors of PTLF. A nomogram was developed and subjected to internal validation through bootstrap resampling of 1000 samples. The model's performance was conducted through the area under the curve (AUC), Hosmer-Lemeshow test, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS PTLF occurred in 37.2% of patients (58/156). Significant differences were observed in factors such as portal vein thrombosis, albumin, aspartate transaminase, international normalized ratio (INR), model for end-stage liver disease scoring, albumin-bilirubin score, and FLIS. Multivariate analysis showed FLIS, portal vein thrombosis, and INR as independent predictors. The model achieved an AUC of 0.759, with 87.8% specificity and 56.9% sensitivity, and demonstrated good calibration (χ² = 7.101, P=0.526). Calibration curves and DCA confirmed its clinical utility. CONCLUSION This FLIS-based prediction model performs well in predicting PTLF, potentially serving as a practical clinical tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Wu
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Yihuan Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Yiwei He
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China
| | - Yongbo Yang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310022, China.
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Sakai N, Takayashiki T, Takano S, Suzuki D, Ohtsuka M. Low functional liver imaging score is associated with poor prognosis following hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2024; 14:31290. [PMID: 39732922 PMCID: PMC11682446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-82741-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 12/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver function affects the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of the functional liver imaging score (FLIS), assessed using gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, on long-term outcomes following hepatectomy for HCC. The FLIS was assessed in 235 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC. The relationship between FLIS and prognosis was retrospectively analyzed. The FLIS was 6 in 185, and 2-5 in 50, patients. The 5-year recurrence-free and overall survival rates were 43.6% and 76.4% in patients with an FLIS of 6, and 23.0% and 42.4% in patients with an FLIS of 2-5, respectively; both recurrence-free and overall survival were significantly better in patients with an FLIS of 6 (P = 0.012 and 0.001, respectively). Multivariable analyses revealed that microvascular invasion (hazard ratio: 3.611; P = 0.002) and an FLIS of 2-5 (hazard ratio: 2.558; P = 0.027) were independently associated with shorter overall survival. After propensity-score matching, overall survival was significantly better in patients with an FLIS of 6. A low FLIS was significantly associated with poor prognosis following initial hepatectomy for HCC, suggesting that surgical indications must be carefully considered in patients with a low FLIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomu Sakai
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Takayashiki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shigetsugu Takano
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Daisuke Suzuki
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ohtsuka
- Department of General Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
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Maino C, Vernuccio F, Cannella R, Cristoferi L, Franco PN, Carbone M, Cortese F, Faletti R, De Bernardi E, Inchingolo R, Gatti M, Ippolito D. Non-invasive imaging biomarkers in chronic liver disease. Eur J Radiol 2024; 181:111749. [PMID: 39317002 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/17/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a global and worldwide clinical challenge, considering that different underlying liver entities can lead to hepatic dysfunction. In the past, blood tests and clinical evaluation were the main noninvasive tools used to detect, diagnose and follow-up patients with CLD; in case of clinical suspicion of CLD or unclear diagnosis, liver biopsy has been considered as the reference standard to rule out different chronic liver conditions. Nowadays, noninvasive tests have gained a central role in the clinical pathway. Particularly, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) and cross-sectional imaging techniques can provide transversal information to clinicians, helping them to correctly manage, treat and follow patients during time. Cross-sectional imaging techniques, namely computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have plenty of potential. Both techniques allow to compute the liver surface nodularity (LSN), associated with CLDs and risk of decompensation. MRI can also help quantify fatty liver infiltration, mainly with the proton density fat fraction (PDFF) sequences, and detect and quantify fibrosis, especially thanks to elastography (MRE). Advanced techniques, such as intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), T1- and T2- mapping are promising tools for detecting fibrosis deposition. Furthermore, the injection of hepatobiliary contrast agents has gained an important role not only in liver lesion characterization but also in assessing liver function, especially in CLDs. Finally, the broad development of radiomics signatures, applied to CT and MR, can be considered the next future approach to CLDs. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current advancements and applications of both invasive and noninvasive imaging techniques in the evaluation and management of CLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cesare Maino
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy.
| | - Federica Vernuccio
- Section of Radiology - Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Roberto Cannella
- Section of Radiology - Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Laura Cristoferi
- Department of Gastroenterlogy, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Paolo Niccolò Franco
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Marco Carbone
- Department of Gastroenterlogy, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Pizza dell'Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20100 Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Francesco Cortese
- Interventional Radiology Unit, "F. Miulli" General Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti 70021, Italy
| | - Riccardo Faletti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Elisabetta De Bernardi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery - University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 33, 20090 Monza, MB, Italy
| | - Riccardo Inchingolo
- Interventional Radiology Unit, "F. Miulli" General Hospital, Acquaviva delle Fonti 70021, Italy
| | - Marco Gatti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy
| | - Davide Ippolito
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Via Pergolesi 33, 20900 Monza, MB, Italy; Department of Medicine and Surgery - University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 33, 20090 Monza, MB, Italy
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Ozgul D, Piskin FC, Sozutok S, Balli HT. Validation of functional liver imaging scores derived on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. HEPATOLOGY FORUM 2024; 6:41-46. [PMID: 40248681 PMCID: PMC11999903 DOI: 10.14744/hf.2023.2023.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2025]
Abstract
Background and Aim To investigate the correlation of the functional liver imaging scores (FLIS) and the scoring system in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Materials and Methods Between April 2015 and December 2022, the HCC patients who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI were analyzed. Three parameters on hepatobiliary phase images were evaluated for FLIS: liver parenchymal enhancement, biliary excretion, and signal intensity of the portal vein. The correlation between Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classification, the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade, and Fibrosis-4 (F-4) score, and FLIS were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to demonstrate the cut-off value of FLIS for differentiating between CTP classification and ALBI grade. Results We retrospectively analyzed 178 HCC patients (144 men, 34 women; mean age, 65.9 years). A moderate negative correlation was present between CTP classification and ALBI grade, and FLIS (r=-0.596 and r=-0.513, respectively). FLIS ≤3 was determined as the most optimal criterion for differentiating CTP A or B patients from CTP C patients. Conclusion This study showed that the FLIS is a simple, non-invasive imaging marker for the assessment of liver function in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duygu Ozgul
- Department of Radiology, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Balcali Hospital, Adana, Turkiye
| | - Ferhat Can Piskin
- Department of Radiology, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Balcali Hospital, Adana, Turkiye
| | - Sinan Sozutok
- Department of Radiology, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Balcali Hospital, Adana, Turkiye
| | - Huseyin Tugsan Balli
- Department of Radiology, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Balcali Hospital, Adana, Turkiye
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Li XX, Liu B, Zhao YF, Jiang Y, Cui Y, Peng XG. Functional Liver Imaging Score Derived from Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced MRI Predicts Cachexia and Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. Curr Med Sci 2024; 44:1018-1025. [PMID: 39327388 DOI: 10.1007/s11596-024-2930-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cachexia occurs in approximately half of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients as the disease progresses and is correlated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, early identification of HCC patients at risk of developing cachexia and their prognosis is crucial. This study investigated the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify cachexia in HCC patients and their prognosis. METHODS Pretreatment clinical and MRI data from 339 HCC patients who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI scans were retrospectively collected. Patient weights were recorded for 6 months following the MRI scan to diagnose cachexia. The FLIS was calculated as the sum of the enhancement quality score, the excretion quality score, and the portal vein sign quality score. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the significant factors affecting overall survival (OS). Multivariable logistic regression was then conducted to identify variables predicting cachexia in HCC patients, which were subsequently used to predict OS. RESULTS Cox regression analysis revealed a significant association between cachexia and worse OS. Both FLIS (0-4 vs. 5-6 points) (OR, 9.20; 95% CI: 4.68-18.10; P<0.001) and α-fetoprotein >100 ng/mL (OR, 4.08; 95% CI: 2.13-7.83; P<0.001) emerged as significant predictors of cachexia in patients with HCC. Furthermore, FLIS (0-4 vs. 5-6 points) (HR, 1.73; 95% CI: 1.19-2.51; P=0.004) was significantly associated with OS. Patients in the FLIS 0-4 points group had shorter OS than those in the FLIS 5-6 points group [20 months (95% CI, 14.7-25.3) vs. 43 months (95% CI, 27.7-58.3); P=0.001]. CONCLUSION Cachexia was associated with worse OS. The functional liver imaging score emerged as a significant predictor of cachexia in HCC patients and their prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xiang Li
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Yu-Fei Zhao
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yang Jiang
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ying Cui
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xin-Gui Peng
- Nurturing Center of Jiangsu Province for State Laboratory of AI Imaging & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Zheng T, Qu Y, Chen J, Yang J, Yan H, Jiang H, Song B. Noninvasive diagnosis of liver cirrhosis: qualitative and quantitative imaging biomarkers. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2024; 49:2098-2115. [PMID: 38372765 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04225-8] [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] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
A diagnosis of cirrhosis initiates a shift in the management of chronic liver disease and affects the diagnostic workflow and treatment decision of primary liver cancer. Liver biopsy remains the gold standard for cirrhosis diagnosis, but it is invasive and susceptible to sampling bias and observer variability. Various qualitative and quantitative imaging biomarkers based on ultrasound, CT and MRI have been proposed for noninvasive diagnosis of cirrhosis. Qualitative imaging features are easy to apply but have moderate diagnostic sensitivity. Elastography techniques allow quantitative assessment of liver stiffness and are highly accurate for cirrhosis diagnosis. Ultrasound elastography are widely used in clinical practice, while MR elastography has narrower availability. Although not applicable in clinical practice yet, other quantitative imaging features, including liver surface nodularity, linear and volumetric measurement, extracellular volume fraction, liver enhancement on hepatobiliary phase, and parameters derived from diffusion-weighted imaging, can provide additional information of liver morphology, perfusion, and function, thus may increase diagnosis performance. The introduction of radiomics and deep learning has further improved diagnostic accuracy while reducing subjectivity. Several imaging features may also help to assess liver function and outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. In this review, we summarize the qualitative and quantitative imaging biomarkers for noninvasive cirrhosis diagnosis, and the assessment of liver function and outcomes, and discuss the challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianying Zheng
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yali Qu
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hualin Yan
- Department of Medical Ultrasound, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hanyu Jiang
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Song
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Alley, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, China.
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Department of Radiology, Sanya People's Hospital, Sanya, Hainan, China.
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Eryuruk U, Tasdemir MN, Karasu HI, Aslan S. Comparison of the efficacy of the gadoxetic acid MRI-derived relative enhancement index (REI) and functional liver imaging score (FLIS) in predicting liver function: validation with Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) grade. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2024; 49:1456-1466. [PMID: 38653813 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-024-04324-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study compared the predictive performance of the relative enhancement index (REI) derived from gadoxetic acid (GA)-enhanced MRI with that of the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) in estimating liver function among patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) or liver cirrhosis (LC) by validating them with the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively examined 166 patients (79 women, 87 men; 57.4 years) who were diagnosed with LC or CLD and underwent GA-enhanced MRI between August 2020 and September 2023. The enhancement ratio (ER) is calculated using the formula: ER = [hepatobiliary phase liver signal (SI HBP20)-precontrast liver signal (SI pre)]/SI pre. The REI is calculated using the formula: REI = Liver Volume (LV) × ER. FLIS was assigned from the sum of three HBP image features, each scored between 0 and 2: liver parenchymal enhancement, biliary contrast excretion, and portal vein sign. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cutoff values of ER, REI, and FLIS in differentiating between ALBI grades. The area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated for REI and FLIS to distinguish the ALBI grades. Spearman's rank correlation was used to evaluate the ER, REI, and FLIS correlations between the ALBI grades. To evaluate inter-reader reliability for LV, ER, REI, and FLIS, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used. RESULTS ROC curve analysis showed that the optimal cutoff value of REI for predicting ALBI Grade 1 was 899-905 for readers 1 and 2 and 461-477 for ALBI Grade 3, respectively. REI performed best in predicting ALBI Grade 1, achieving an accuracy range of 94%-92.2%, sensitivity of 94.9%-94.1%, and specificity of 91.7%-87.5% for readers 1 and 2, respectively. All parameters showed high accuracy in distinguishing ALBI Grade 3 from other grades. However, REI outperformed the others, showing an accuracy range of 98.8%-97.6%, sensitivity of 94.4%-94.4%, and specificity of 99.3%-98% for readers 1 and 2, respectively. REI showed the best and very strong correlation with ALBI for both readers. CONCLUSION REI showed a very strong correlation with the ALBI grades for assessing liver function. It outperformed FLIS in predicting the ALBI grades, indicating its potential as a radiologic tool comparable to or better than FLIS in predicting liver function, especially given its dependence on liver volume.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uluhan Eryuruk
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey.
| | - Merve Nur Tasdemir
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
| | - Halil Ibrahim Karasu
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
| | - Serdar Aslan
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
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11
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Yoon S, Shim YS, Park SH, Sung J, Nickel MD, Kim YJ, Lee HY, Kim HJ. Hepatobiliary phase imaging in cirrhotic patients using compressed sensing and controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration. Eur Radiol 2024; 34:2233-2243. [PMID: 37731096 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10226-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare the image quality and focal lesion detection ability of hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images obtained using compressed sensing (CS) and controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration (CAIPIRINHA) in patients with liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively included 244 gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI from 244 patients with cirrhosis obtained by two HBP images using CS and CAIPIRINHA from July 2020 to December 2020. The optimized resolution and scan time for CS-HBP and CAIPIRINHA-HBP were 0.9 × 0.9 × 1.5 mm3 and 15 s and 1.3 × 1.3 × 3 mm3 and 16 s, respectively. We compared the image quality between the two sets of images in 244 patients and focal lesion (n = 294) analyses for 112 patients. RESULTS CS-HBP showed comparable overall image quality (3.7 ± 0.9 vs. 3.6 ± 0.8, p = 0.680), superior liver edge sharpness (3.9 ± 0.6 vs. 3.6 ± 0.5, p < 0.001), and fewer respiratory motion artifacts (4.0 ± 0.7 vs. 3.8 ± 0.5, p < 0.001), but higher non-respiratory artifacts (3.4 ± 0.7 vs. 3.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.001) and subjective image noise (3.5 ± 0.8 vs. 3.6 ± 0.7, p = 0.014) than CAIPIRINHA-HBP. CS-HBP showed a higher signal-to-noise ratio in the liver than CAIPIRINHA-HBP (20.9 ± 9.0 vs. 18.9 ± 7.1, p = 0.008). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 90.0%, 77.5%, and 0.84 for CS-HBP and 73.5%, 82.4%, and 0.78 for CAIPIRINHA-HBP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS CS-HBP showed better focal lesion detection ability, comparable overall image quality, and fewer respiratory motion artifacts, but higher non-respiratory artifacts and noise compared to CAIPIRINHA-HBP. Thus, CS-HBP could be recommended for liver MRI in patients with cirrhosis to improve diagnostic performance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Thin-slice CS-HBP may be useful for detecting sub-centimeter hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients with Child-Pugh classification A while maintaining comparable subjective image quality. KEY POINTS • Compared with controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration, compressed sensing hepatobiliary phase yielded thinner slices and shorter scan time at a higher accelerating factor. • Compressed sensing hepatobiliary phase showed comparable overall image quality, superior liver edge sharpness, and fewer respiratory motion artifacts, but higher non-respiratory artifacts and subjective image noise than controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in higher acceleration-hepatobiliary phase. • Compressed sensing hepatobiliary phase can detect sub-centimeter hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients with Child-Pugh classification A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungjin Yoon
- Department of Radiology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, 21, Namdong-daero 774 Beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21565, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sup Shim
- Department of Radiology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, 21, Namdong-daero 774 Beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21565, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hyun Park
- Department of Radiology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, 21, Namdong-daero 774 Beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21565, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jaekon Sung
- Siemens Healthineers Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Ye Jin Kim
- Department of Radiology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, 21, Namdong-daero 774 Beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21565, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Young Lee
- Department of Radiology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, 21, Namdong-daero 774 Beon-gil, Namdong-gu, Incheon, 21565, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa Jung Kim
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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12
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Gerwing M, Schindler P, Katou S, Köhler M, Stamm AC, Schmidt VF, Heindel W, Struecker B, Morgul H, Pascher A, Wildgruber M, Masthoff M. Multi-organ Radiomics-Based Prediction of Future Remnant Liver Hypertrophy Following Portal Vein Embolization. Ann Surg Oncol 2023; 30:7976-7985. [PMID: 37670120 PMCID: PMC10625940 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14241-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal vein embolization (PVE) is used to induce remnant liver hypertrophy prior to major hepatectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of baseline computed tomography (CT) data for future remnant liver (FRL) hypertrophy after PVE. METHODS In this retrospective study, all consecutive patients undergoing right-sided PVE with or without hepatic vein embolization between 2018 and 2021 were included. CT volumetry was performed before and after PVE to assess standardized FRL volume (sFRLV). Radiomic features were extracted from baseline CT after segmenting liver (without tumor), spleen and bone marrow. For selecting features that allow classification of response (hypertrophy ≥ 1.33), a stepwise dimension reduction was performed. Logistic regression models were fitted and selected features were tested for their predictive value. Decision curve analysis was performed on the test dataset. RESULTS A total of 53 patients with liver tumor were included in this study. sFRLV increased significantly after PVE, with a mean hypertrophy of FRL of 1.5 ± 0.3-fold. sFRLV hypertrophy ≥ 1.33 was reached in 35 (66%) patients. Three independent radiomic features, i.e. liver-, spleen- and bone marrow-associated, differentiated well between responders and non-responders. A logistic regression model revealed the highest accuracy (area under the curve 0.875) for the prediction of response, with sensitivity of 1.0 and specificity of 0.5. Decision curve analysis revealed a positive net benefit when applying the model. CONCLUSIONS This proof-of-concept study provides first evidence of a potential predictive value of baseline multi-organ radiomics CT data for FRL hypertrophy after PVE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Gerwing
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | | | - Shadi Katou
- Department for General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Köhler
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | | | | | - Walter Heindel
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Benjamin Struecker
- Department for General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Haluk Morgul
- Department for General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Pascher
- Department for General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Moritz Wildgruber
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
- Department for Radiology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Max Masthoff
- Clinic for Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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Heo S, Choi SH, Hong S, Kim DW. Visualization Score of Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: The Effect on the Diagnostic Accuracy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 57:941-949. [PMID: 35849038 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The visualization score of hepatobiliary-phase (HBP) images has been introduced as an image quality index for gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. It may be associated with hepatic function and could have an implication on the diagnostic accuracy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PURPOSE To investigate the association between the visualization score of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and clinical factors and to evaluate its effect on the diagnostic accuracy for HCC ≤ 3.0 cm. STUDY TYPE Retrospective. POPULATION A total of 493 focal lesions from 397 patients. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE A 5-T or 3.0 -T with pre/postcontrast T1-weighted 3D gradient echo sequence, and T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence ASSESSMENT: Child-Pugh classification and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score were assessed. Three readers evaluated the visualization score of each MRI examination (A, no or minimal; B, moderate; and C, severe limitations), and major features (arterial-phase hyperenhancement, washout, enhancing capsule, threshold growth) and ancillary features of each focal lesion. STATISTICAL TESTS Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine significant clinical factors associated with a suboptimal visualization score (B or C). Generalized estimating equations were used to compare the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing HCC between the two group (visualization score A vs. B or C). A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Of the 397 MRI examinations, the incidence of suboptimal visualization score was 13%. A suboptimal visualization score was significantly associated with Child-Pugh classification B or C (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 15.2) and ALBI grade 2 or 3 (OR = 4.7). Compared with the visualization score A group, the suboptimal visualization score group showed significantly lower sensitivity (56.8% vs. 75.2%) and less frequent washout in HCC (62.2% vs. 84.0%). DATA CONCLUSION The visualization score on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI can be an important image quality index and the diagnostic accuracy for HCC ≤ 3.0 cm may not be sufficient in the suboptimal visualization score group. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subin Heo
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Choi
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Hong
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Kim
- Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Kim NH, Kang JH. Inter-reader reliability of functional liver imaging score derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI: a meta-analysis. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2023; 48:886-894. [PMID: 36576517 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03785-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to systematically determine the inter-reader reliability of the functional liver imaging score (FLIS) and explore the factors affecting it. METHODS Original articles reporting the inter-reader reliability of FLIS derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were systematically searched in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from January 2013 to June 2022. Data synthesis was performed to calculate the meta-analytic pooled estimates of the FLIS and its three subcategories, including enhancement quality score (EnQS), excretion quality score (ExQS), and portal vein sign quality score (PVsQS) using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model. To explore any cause of study heterogeneity, we conducted a meta-regression analysis. RESULTS Six studies with data from 1419 patients were included. The meta-analytic pooled inter-reader reliability of FLIS was 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-0.98). That of the three FLIS subcategories were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-1.00), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91-1.00), and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.81-0.99) for EnQS, ExQS, and PVsQS, respectively. The pooled FLIS data was moderately heterogenous, but heterogeneity was not associated with the study methodology, MRI-related factors, and reader experience. CONCLUSION The FLIS and its three subcategories showed almost perfect inter-reader reliability. Therefore, FLIS may be a reliable imaging parameter that reflects liver function and outcomes in patients with chronic liver disease. Further studies should be conducted to confirm any factors affecting the inter-reader reliability of FLIS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam Hee Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hun Kang
- Department of Radiology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, 153 Gyeongchun-Ro, Guri-Si, 11923, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea.
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15
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Relative enhancement index can be used to quantify liver function in cirrhotic patients that undergo gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Eur Radiol 2023:10.1007/s00330-023-09402-9. [PMID: 36651953 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09402-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate MRI with gadoxetic acid to quantify liver function in cirrhotic patients using the relative enhancement index (REI) compared with Child-Pugh score (CPS), MELD score, and indocyanine green plasma disappearance rate (ICG-PDR) and to establish cutoffs for REI to stratify cirrhotic patients into good and poor liver function groups. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 60 cirrhotic patients and calculated CPS, MELD score, ICG-PDR, and REI for each patient. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation between REI, CPS, MELD, and ICG-PDR. Good and poor liver function groups were created by k-means clustering algorithm using CPS, MELD, and ICG-PDR. ROC curve analysis was performed and optimal cutoff was identified for group differentiation. RESULTS Good correlations were found between REI and other liver function biomarkers: REI and CPS (rho = - 0.816; p < 0.001); REI and MELD score (rho = - 0.755; p < 0.001); REI and ICG-PDR (rho = 0.745; p < 0.001)]. REI correlation was stronger for patients with Child-Pugh A (rho = 0.642, p = 0.002) and B (rho = 0.798, p < 0.001) than for those with Child-Pugh C (rho = 0.336, p = 0.148). REI is significantly lower in patients with poor liver function (p < 0.001). ROC curve showed an AUC 0.94 to discriminate patients with poor liver function (REI cutoff < 100; 100% sensitivity; 76% specificity). CONCLUSIONS REI is a valuable non-invasive index for liver function quantification that has good correlations with other liver function biomarkers. REI can be easily calculated and can be used to estimate liver function in clinical practice in the routine evaluation of cirrhotic patients that undergo MR imaging with gadoxetic acid contrast. KEY POINTS • REI is a valuable non-invasive index for liver function quantification that has good correlations with other liver function biomarkers. • REI can be easily calculated in the routine evaluation of cirrhotic patients that undergo gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. • The REI enables stratification of cirrhotic patients into good and poor liver function groups and can be used as additional information, together with morphological and focal liver lesion evaluation.
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Zhang WY, Sun HY, Zhang WL, Feng R. Effect of type 2 diabetes on liver images of GD-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI during the hepatobiliary phase. Sci Rep 2023; 13:543. [PMID: 36631556 PMCID: PMC9834214 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27730-0] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
To analyze alterations of the liver appearance during the hepatobiliary phase of individuals with type 2 diabetes who are receiving gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifty-seven individuals who received Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI and had normal liver and renal function but did not have (control group) or have type 2 diabetes (observation group) were retrospectively included in this study. The liver enhancement ratio (LER) and contrast between liver parenchyma and portal vein (LPC) were calculated from hepatobiliary phase images. Utilizing liver to kidney signal intensity, signs of the biliary system, and signs of the portal vein, a functional liver imaging score (FLIS) was calculated. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to assess the between-group differences in LER, LPC, and FLIS. FLIS constituent ratios between the two groups were tested using the χ2 test. The effectiveness of LER, LPC, and FLIS for identifying type 2 diabetes was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs). The interobserver consistency of FLIS was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficients. The observation group's LER and LPC were lower than the control group. The constituent ratio of the FLIS score (liver to kidney signal intensity, p = 0.011) showed a significant between-group difference. According to ROCs, LER and LPC were associated with the identification of type 2 diabetes. LER = 0.54 and LPC = 1.46 were the optimal cutoff for identifying type 2 diabetes, respectively. FLIS demonstrated excellent inter-reader agreement. The relative signal intensity of the liver during the hepatobiliary phase is decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes. This should be considered when individuals with type 2 diabetes undergo Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI to avoid misdiagnoses, such as small hepatocellular carcinoma or abnormal liver function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yu Zhang
- grid.410587.fDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hao-Yang Sun
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.16369 Jingshi Road, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wen-Long Zhang
- grid.410587.fDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Feng
- grid.410587.fDepartment of Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
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Tang G, Liu J, Liu P, Huang F, Shao X, Chen Y, Xie A. Evaluation of liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic liver disease using functional liver imaging scores at different acquisition time points. Front Genet 2022; 13:1071025. [PMID: 36561314 PMCID: PMC9765309 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1071025] [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: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This paper aims to explore whether functional liver imaging score (FLIS) based on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images at 5, 10, and 15 min can predict liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic liver disease and its association with indocyanine green 15-min retention rate (ICG-R15), Child-Pugh (CP) score, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. In addition, it also examines the inter- and intra-observer consistency of FLIS and three FLIS parameters at three different time points. Methods: This study included 110 patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) or liver cirrhosis (LC) (93 men, 17 women; mean ± standard deviation = 56.96 ± 10.16) between July 2019 and May 2022. FLIS was assigned in accordance with the sum of the three hepatobiliary phase characteristics, all of which were scored on the 0-2 ordinal scale, including the biliary excretion, hepatic enhancement and portal vein signal intensity. FLIS was calculated independently by two radiologists using transitional and hepatobiliary phase images at 5, 10, and 15 min after enhancement. The relationship between FLIS and three FLIS quality scores and the degree of liver function were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The ability of FLIS to predict hepatic function was investigated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Intra- and inter-observer intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) (ICC = 0.937-0.978, 95% CI = 0.909-0.985) for FLIS at each time point indicated excellent agreement. At each time point, FLIS had a moderate negative association with liver function classification (r = [-0.641]-[-0.428], p < 0.001), and weak to moderate correlation with some other clinical parameters except for creatinine (p > 0.05). FLIS showed moderate discriminatory ability between different liver function levels. The area under the ROC curves (AUCs) of FLIS at 5, 10, and 15 min after enhancement to predict ICG-R15 of 10% or less were 0.838, 0.802, and 0.723, respectively; those for predicting ICG-R15 greater than 20% were 0.793, 0.824, and 0.756, respectively; those for predicting ICG-R15 greater than 40% were 0.728, 0.755, and 0.741, respectively; those for predicting ALBI grade 1 were 0.734, 0.761, and 0.691, respectively; those for predicting CP class A cirrhosis were 0.806, 0.821, and 0.829, respectively; those for predicting MELD score of 10 or less were 0.837, 0.877, and 0.837, respectively. No significant difference was found in the AUC of FLIS at 5, 10 and 15 min (p > 0.05). Conclusion: FLIS presented a moderate negative correlation with the classification system of hepatic function at a delay of 5, 10, and 15 min, and patients with LC or CLD were appropriately stratified based on ICG-R15, ALBI grade, MELD score, and CP classification. In addition, the use of FLIS to evaluate liver function can reduce the observation time of the hepatobiliary period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixiang Tang
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China
| | - Jianbin Liu
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China
| | - Feng Huang
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China
| | - Xunuo Shao
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China
| | - An Xie
- Department of Radiology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, China,*Correspondence: An Xie,
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Aslan S, Eryuruk U, Tasdemir MN, Cakir IM. Determining the efficacy of functional liver imaging score (FLIS) obtained from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis: the relationship between Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) grade and FLIS. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022; 47:2325-2334. [PMID: 35672474 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03557-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE (1) To evaluate the efficacy of functional liver imaging score (FLIS) in predicting liver function on gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) or liver cirrhosis (LC) and its relationship with ALBI grade. (2) To assess the intra-reader reliability and interreader agreement of readers with different levels of experience in abdominal imaging of FLIS. METHODS We retrospectively included 131 patients (70 men, 61 women; mean ± SD, 53.7 ± 14.6 years) with CLD and LC who underwent GA-enhanced MRI between November 2019 and March 2022. FLIS was assigned as a result of the sum of three hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images features, each scored 0-2: liver parenchymal enhancement, biliary contrast excretion, and portal vein sign. FLIS was calculated using HPB images independently by three radiologists with different experience. In addition, 50 randomly selected patients were reviewed a second time by a reader to assess intra-reader reliability. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade: ALBI grade 1, 2, and 3. We evaluated the correlation between ALBI grade and both FLIS and its parameters using Spearman's rank correlation for each reader. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to show the optimal cut-off value of FLIS to distinguish between ALBI grades. Intra-reader reliability and inter-reader agreement were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS FLIS and three FLIS parameters showed very strong correlation with ALBI grade for each readers (r = - 0.843 to 0.976, - 0.831 to 0.962, and - 0.819 to 0.902, respectively). ROC curve analysis showed that FLIS ≥ 5 was the optimal cutoff for prediction of ALBI grade 1 for each readers (sensitivity, 83.7% to 95.4%; specificity, 82.6% to 87%; accuracy, 88.6% to 93.6% and area under the curve (AUC), 0.882 to 0.917), and FLIS ≤ 3 was the optimal cutoff for distinguish ALBI grade 3 from other grades for each readers (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 95.2% to 96%; accuracy, 95.4% to 96.2% and AUC, 0.974 to 0.994). Intra-reader reliability (ICC = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.96) and inter-reader agreement (ICC = 0.85 to 0.90; 95% CI 0.82-0.97) for FLIS were excellent. CONCLUSION FLIS showed a very correlation with hepatic function level and can stratify the ALBI grades. This feature has demonstrated the potential of FLIS to be excellent radiological tools for predicting of liver function of CLD and LC patients in clinical practice. Also, the excellent agreement of FLIS among readers with different levels of experience indicates that it can be used with high accuracy and reproducibility regardless of experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serdar Aslan
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey.
| | - Uluhan Eryuruk
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
| | - Merve Nur Tasdemir
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
| | - Ismet Mirac Cakir
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
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19
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Luo N, Huang X, Ji Y, Jin G, Qin Y, Xiang B, Su D, Tang W. A functional liver imaging score for preoperative prediction of liver failure after hepatocellular carcinoma resection. Eur Radiol 2022; 32:5623-5632. [PMID: 35294586 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08656-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a challenging complication after resection to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is associated with high mortality. Preoperative prediction of PHLF may improve patient subsequent and reduce such mortality. This study examined whether a functional liver imaging score (FLIS) based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could predict PHLF. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 502 patients who underwent preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, followed by HCC resection. Significant preoperative predictors of PHLF were identified using logistic regression analysis. The ability of FLIS to predict PHLF was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, and its predictive power was compared to that of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, and indocyanine green 15-min retention rate (ICG-R15). RESULTS In multivariate analysis, PHLF was independently associated with FLIS (OR 0.452, 95% CI 0.361 to 0.568, p < 0.001) and major resection (OR 1.898, 95% CI 1.057 to 3.408, p = 0.032). FLIS was associated with a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.752) than the MELD score (0.557), ALBI score (0.609), or ICG-R15 (0.605) (all p < 0.05). Patients with FLIS ≤ 4 who underwent major resection were at 9.4-fold higher risk of PHLF than patients with lower FLIS who underwent minor resection. CONCLUSION FLIS is an independent predictor of PHLF, and it may perform better than the MELD score, ALBI score, and ICG-R15 clearance. We propose treating elevated FLIS and major resection as risk factors for PHLF. KEY POINTS • A functional liver imaging score can independently predict posthepatectomy liver failure in patients with HCC. • The score may predict such failure better than MELD and ALBI scores and ICG-R15. • Patients with scores ≤ 4 who undergo major hepatic resection may be at nearly tenfold higher risk of posthepatectomy liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningbin Luo
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xiangyang Huang
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yinan Ji
- Department of Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Guanqiao Jin
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Yunying Qin
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Bangde Xiang
- Department of Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Danke Su
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China.
| | - Weizhong Tang
- Department of Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China.
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20
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Hall RC, Qin J, Laney V, Ayat N, Lu ZR. Manganese(II) EOB-Pyclen Diacetate for Liver-Specific MRI. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2022; 5:451-458. [PMID: 35148050 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.1c01259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
MRI is increasingly utilized for the diagnosis of liver disease and focal liver lesions. Although liver-targeted gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have high efficacy, there continue to be safety concerns regarding release of toxic Gd(III) ions. Herein, Mn(EOB-PC2A) is synthesized as a nongadolinium alternative for liver-specific MRI. Mn(EOB-PC2A) has an r1 relaxivity of 2.8 mM-1 s-1 in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) and 5.9 mM-1 s-1 in saline containing human serum albumin at 1.5 T. It has a strong uptake in hepatocytes with minimal toxicity and demonstrated robust liver-specific enhancement at a dose of 60 μmol/kg. Mn(EOB-PC2A) is a promising liver-specific contrast agent for liver MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C Hall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Jingcan Qin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Victoria Laney
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Nadia Ayat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
| | - Zheng-Rong Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, United States
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21
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Grieser C. Editorial comment: advances in the evaluation of liver imaging and function with gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Eur Radiol 2021; 31:8374-8375. [PMID: 34424395 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-021-08182-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Grieser
- ZEMODI - Zentrum für moderne Diagnostik, Schwachhauser Heerstrasse 63a, 28211, Bremen, Germany.
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22
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Chang SD, Cunha GM, Chernyak V. MR Imaging Contrast Agents: Role in Imaging of Chronic Liver Diseases. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 2021; 29:329-345. [PMID: 34243921 DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2021.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Contrast-enhanced MR imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of patients with chronic liver disease, particularly for detection and characterization of liver lesions. The two most commonly used contrast agents for liver MR imaging are extracellular agents (ECAs) and hepatobiliary agents (HBAs). In patients with liver disease, the main advantage of ECA-enhanced MR imaging is its high specificity for the diagnosis of progressed HCCs. Conversely, HBAs have an additional contrast mechanism, which results in high liver-to-lesion contrast and highest sensitivity for lesion detection in the hepatobiliary phase. Emerging data suggest that features depicted on contrast-enhanced MR imaging scans are related to tumor biology and are predictive of patients' prognosis, likely to further expand the role of contrast-enhanced MR imaging in the clinical care of patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia D Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, 899 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 1M9, Canada. https://twitter.com/SilviaChangMD
| | - Guilherme Moura Cunha
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Victoria Chernyak
- Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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