Liver fibrosis and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI: A histopathologic correlation

Sci Rep. 2015 Oct 19:5:15408. doi: 10.1038/srep15408.

Abstract

Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is a hepatocyte-specific MRI contrast agent. Because the hepatic uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA depends on the integrity of the hepatocyte mass, this uptake can be quantified to assess liver function. We report the relationship between the extent of Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake and the degree of liver fibrosis. T1-weighted volume-interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) sequences with fat suppression were acquired before and 20 minutes after contrast injection. Strong correlations of the uptake characteristics of Gd-EOB-DTPA with the relative enhancement (RE) of the liver parenchyma and the grade of fibrosis/cirrhosis, classified using the Ishak scoring system, were observed. The subdivisions between the grades of liver fibrosis based on RE were highly significant for all combinations, and a ROC revealed sensitivities ≥82% and specificities ≥87% for all combinations. MR imaging is a satisfactorily sensitive method for the assessment of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Contrast Media*
  • Female
  • Gadolinium DTPA*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Liver Cirrhosis / diagnosis*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / standards
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • ROC Curve
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA
  • Gadolinium DTPA