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Assessing liver function in patients with HBV-related HCC: a comparison of T1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging with DWI

European Radiology volume 25, pages 1392–1398 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Objectives

To compare the potential of T1 mapping on gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for assessing liver function in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

One hundred consecutive patients with known HBV-related HCCs were included. T1 relaxation time and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the liver were measured, and the reduction rate of T1 relaxation time (∆%) was calculated. T1 relaxation time measurements were compared with ADC values according to the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score.

Results

Hepatobiliary phase (HBP) and ∆% of T1 relaxation time measurements showed significant correlations with MELD score (rho = 0.571, p < 0.0001; rho = −0.573, p < 0.0001, respectively). HBP and ∆% of T1 relaxation time were significantly different between good (MELD ≤8) and poor liver function (MELD ≥9) (p < 0.0001 for both). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of T1 relaxation time for HBP (AUC 0.84) and ∆% (AUC 0.82) were significantly better than for ADC (AUC 0.53; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

T1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI showed promise for evaluating liver function in patients with HBV-related HCC, while DWI was not reliable. HBP T1 relaxation time measurement was equally accurate as ∆% measurement.

Key Points

• T 1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI was accurate for assessing liver function.

• HBP T 1 relaxation time measurement was as accurate as ∆% T 1

• T 1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI was more accurate than DWI-ADC measurement.

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Acknowledgments

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Sheng-xiang Rao. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies, whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. This study has received funding by Project supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81371543). No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board. Methodology: case–control study, performed at one institution.

Project supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81371543)

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  1. Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, China, 200032

    Ying Ding, Sheng-Xiang Rao, Caizhong Chen, Renchen Li & Meng-Su Zeng

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  1. Ying Ding
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Correspondence to Sheng-Xiang Rao.

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Ding, Y., Rao, SX., Chen, C. et al. Assessing liver function in patients with HBV-related HCC: a comparison of T1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging with DWI. Eur Radiol 25, 1392–1398 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3542-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3542-x

Keywords

  • Gd-EOB-DTPA
  • T 1 relaxation time
  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Diffusion-weighted imaging
  • Liver function