The role of diffusion tensor imaging for the assessment of liver fibrosis and inflammation in chronic viral hepatitis: A preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the assessment of liver fibrosis and inflammation in chronic viral hepatitis by measuring apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (Fa) values.

Material and Methods: Twenty-seven patients (5 women and 22 men;mean age39.8±11.3) with hepatic fibrosis were included in our study. The relationship between ADC, Fa values and histological activity index (HAI) score were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Patients were subgrouped as group A (fibrosis score 1) and group B (fibrosis score 3). The mean ADC and Fa values of groups A and B were compared using Student’s t-test. To evaluate the use of ADC and Fa values in distinguishing group A from group B, ROC analysis was applied; sensitivities and specificities were calculated.

Results: Fa values correlated with HAI scores significantly (r=0.397, p<0.05) The difference was significant between the mean ADC values (group A:1.46± 0.191x103mm2/s; group B:1.105± 0.141x10-3 mm2/s; p<0.001) and Fa values (group A: 0.473±0.091; group B: 0.643± 0.007; p<0.001) between the groups. For distinguishing group A from group B, ADC had a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 93.8%. The sensitivity and specificity of Fa were 90.9% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion: Diffusion tensor imaging may play a role in the evaluation of fibrosis and HAI scores in patients with liver fibrosis.