A Preliminary Assessment of Hepatic Fibrosis with Magnetic Resonance Elastography

A Preliminary Assessment of Hepatic Fibrosis with Magnetic Resonance Elastography

2007 October ; 5(10): 1207–1213.e2. | Meng Yin, Jayant A. Talwalkar, M.D., Kevin J. Glaser, Ph.D., Armando Manduca, Ph.D., Roger C. Grimm, M.S., Phillip J. Rossman, M.S., Jeff L. Fidler, M.D., and Richard L. Ehman, M.D.
This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of Magnetic Resonance (MR) Elastography in detecting hepatic fibrosis. MR Elastography is a non-invasive technique that measures the mechanical properties of liver tissue, specifically stiffness, to assess fibrosis. The study included 35 normal volunteers and 50 patients with chronic liver disease. Results showed that liver stiffness increased systematically with fibrosis stage, and MR Elastography demonstrated high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (99%) for detecting all grades of liver fibrosis with a shear stiffness cut-off value of 2.93 kPa. The technique also effectively distinguished between moderate to severe fibrosis (grades 2-4) and mild fibrosis (sensitivity 86%, specificity 85%). Additionally, hepatic steatosis did not influence the accuracy of MR Elastography in detecting fibrosis. The study concludes that MR Elastography is a safe and accurate method for assessing hepatic fibrosis, with potential applications in patient triage and monitoring treatment efficacy.This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of Magnetic Resonance (MR) Elastography in detecting hepatic fibrosis. MR Elastography is a non-invasive technique that measures the mechanical properties of liver tissue, specifically stiffness, to assess fibrosis. The study included 35 normal volunteers and 50 patients with chronic liver disease. Results showed that liver stiffness increased systematically with fibrosis stage, and MR Elastography demonstrated high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (99%) for detecting all grades of liver fibrosis with a shear stiffness cut-off value of 2.93 kPa. The technique also effectively distinguished between moderate to severe fibrosis (grades 2-4) and mild fibrosis (sensitivity 86%, specificity 85%). Additionally, hepatic steatosis did not influence the accuracy of MR Elastography in detecting fibrosis. The study concludes that MR Elastography is a safe and accurate method for assessing hepatic fibrosis, with potential applications in patient triage and monitoring treatment efficacy.
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