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Liver stiffness measured by magnetic resonance elastography as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma: a preliminary case–control study

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Abstract

Objective

To examine if liver stiffness measured by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease.

Methods

By reviewing the records of magnetic resonance (MR) examinations performed at our institution, we selected 301 patients with chronic liver disease who did not have a previous medical history of HCC. All patients underwent MRE and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging. HCC was identified on MR images in 66 of the 301 patients, who were matched to controls from the remaining patients without HCC according to age. MRE images were obtained by visualising elastic waves generated in the liver by pneumatic vibration transferred via a cylindrical passive driver. Risk factors of HCC development were determined by the odds ratio with logistic regression analysis; gender and liver stiffness by MRE and serum levels of aspartate transferase, alanine transferase, alpha-fetoprotein, and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II.

Results

Multivariate analysis revealed that only liver stiffness by MRE was a significant risk factor for HCC with an odds ratio (95 % confidence interval) of 1.38 (1.05–1.84).

Conclusion

Liver stiffness measured by MRE is an independent risk factor for HCC in patients with chronic liver disease.

Key Points

• Magnetic resonance elastography can estimate liver stiffness, a marker of hepatic fibrosis.

• Liver stiffness is an independent risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

• Liver stiffness seems a better indicator of HCC than tumour markers.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Richard Ehman and Scott Kruse from the Mayo Clinic, and Tetsuya Wakayama from GE Healthcare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo-shi, Yamanashi-ken, 409-3898, Japan

    Utaroh Motosugi, Tomoaki Ichikawa, Tsuyota Koshiishi, Katsuhiro Sano, Hiroyuki Morisaka, Shintaro Ichikawa & Tsutomu Araki

  2. 1st Department of Internal Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan

    Nobuyuki Enomoto

  3. 1st Department of Surgery, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan

    Masanori Matsuda & Hideki Fujii

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  1. Utaroh Motosugi
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  2. Tomoaki Ichikawa
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  3. Tsuyota Koshiishi
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  5. Hiroyuki Morisaka
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  10. Tsutomu Araki
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Correspondence to Utaroh Motosugi.

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Motosugi, U., Ichikawa, T., Koshiishi, T. et al. Liver stiffness measured by magnetic resonance elastography as a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma: a preliminary case–control study. Eur Radiol 23, 156–162 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2571-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-012-2571-6

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