Quantitative evaluation of gadoxetate hepatocyte phase homogeneity: potential imaging markers for detection of early cirrhosis

Abstract

Objective: Does quantitative analysis of the gadoxetate hepatocyte phase homogeneity, measuring percent standard deviation of hepatocyte phase (SDHP) and liver-to-kidney enhancement ratio (LiKER) detect early hepatic fibrosis?

Materials and methods: Retrospective review of gadoxetate liver MRI plus biopsy-proven fibrosis within 6 months included 31 reversible hepatic fibrosis, 33 irreversible hepatic fibrosis, and 15 donors. Parenchymal and vascular SDHP and LiKER were measured on the 20-min hepatocyte phase using region of interest.

Results: Parenchymal SDHP, vascular SDHP and LiKER measurements differentiate early hepatic fibrosis from controls (P<.01).

Conclusion: Quantitative analysis of gadoxetate hepatocyte phase homogeneity using SDHP and LiKER is a promising imaging biomarker for diagnosis of early liver fibrosis.

Keywords: Gadoxetate disodium; Liver fibrosis; Liver-to-kidney enhancement ratio (LiKER); Quantitative analysis; Region-of-interest (ROI) analysis; Standard deviation of hepatocyte phase (SDHP).