Keywords:
Abdomen, Liver, Haematologic, MR-Elastography, MR, Elastography, Technical aspects, Technology assessment, Imaging sequences, Cirrhosis, Haematologic diseases, Tissue characterisation
Authors:
I. Mussetto, J. Matos, L. Bacigalupo, M. De Cesari, S. Perugin Bernardi, F. Paparo, G. A. Rollandi; Genoa/IT
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-0901
Conclusion
MR Elastography (MRE) of the liver is a non-invasive technique that allows quantitative evaluation and staging of liver stiffness [1].
MRE is a safe,
fast,
and highly accurate technique that analyses a large area of liver parenchyma,
with good reproducibility.
It allows stiffness calculation even in the case of obese patients and in those with hepatic steatosis [2].
One of the most frequent reasons for technical failure in MRE is hepatic iron overload as noted in previous works [1,
3,
4].
In a recent article,
M.
Wagner et al.
demonstrated that iron deposition, massive ascites and high BMI were additional independent factors associated with failure of MRE of the liver with a 2D GRE pulse sequence [5].
Our study confirms that iron overload is associated with failure and that minimum T2* decay value predicting MRE technical failure may be lower than previously observed.
Knowing MR Elastography limitations reduces the technical failure rate and increases the accuracy for evaluating liver stiffness using this non-invasive technique.