Purpose
To test a new dedicated software,
Fat Liver Analysis (FLA),
to evaluate statosis.To assessMR feasibility in evaluating fat liver variation after dietetic therapy,
comparing it with Body-Mass-Index (BMI) and Fat-Tissue(FT) thickness.
To define which sequence (GRE vs TSE) demonstrates the higher accuracy if compared to the overall MR examination results
Methods and Materials
20 patients (13 male and 7 female; age: 32-70 years) with a diagnosis of non-alcoholic liver steatosis (NAFLD) based on clinical lab tests and liver US evaluation were enrolled.
They underwent MR examination (1.5 T Superconducting magnet: Magnetom Symphony,
Siemens; high performing gradients - 30 mT / m),
bioumoral tests and anthropometric evaluation at basal time.
Then they started a standardized diet; after three months of dietetic therapy they underwent new clinical evaluation,lab tests and MR examination.
Using GRE MR T1-weighted and TSE T2-weighted sequences...
Results
10 patients showed HFF reduction after diet,
with a good correlation with BMI and FT (the performed Pearson test,
showed a very good correlation between % of Reduction of HFF and % reduction of FT and BMI).
Only one patient,
without an adequate diet,
showed a normal HFF and FT but a worsening of BMI.
TSE T2 sequences revealed to be accurate to evaluate HFF and its % of reduction.
FLAevaluation were easier and quicker than manual one.
Conclusion
MR revealed to be a reliable tool for the quantitative assessment of liver steatosis,
free from ionising radiation.
TSE T2 sequences were more careful than GRE T1 sequences.FLAprocesses MR DICOM Images in an automatic way completely transparent for the end-user; it is a promising tool for monitoring HFF during diet therapy,
thanks to its reproducibility and the possibility of objective comparison.
MR shows a very good correlation with anthropometric and bioumoral data
References
"Non-invasive quantification of hepatic fat fraction by fast 1.0,
1.5 and 3.0 T MR imaging." Eur J Radiol. 2007 Jun;62(3):416-22
Schuchmann S,
Weigel C,
Albrecht L,
Kirsch M,
Lemke A,
Lorenz G,
Warzok R,
Hosten N.
"Hepatic MRI for fat quantitation: its relationship to fat morphology,
diagnosis,
and ultrasound".
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005 Aug;39(7):619-25
Fishbein M,
Castro F,
Cheruku S,
Jain S,
Webb B,
Gleason T,
Stevens WR.
"MRI: the new reference standard in quantifying hepatic steatosis?"
Gut. 2012 Jan;61(1):117-27
Raptis DA,
Fischer MA,
Graf...