Value of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for assessing severity of liver cirrhosis secondary to viral hepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the value of abdominal CT and MRI in determining the severity of cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis compared to Child-Pugh classification.


METHODS
The study included 23 patients who were clinically and histologically diagnosed with chronic liver disease secondary to viral hepatitis. Each patient underwent dynamic abdominal CT imaging and MRI within the same week. CT and MRI findings were retrospectively reviewed. The same parameters were used from the CT and the MR images for each patient. The parameters included liver volume index (posterior segment of the right lobe, medial and lateral segments of the left lobe), spleen volume index, ascites, portosystemic collaterals, contour irregularities of the liver and confluent fibrosis within the liver. The findings were compared with the patients' Child-Pugh grades. Multiple regression analysis was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
On MRI, liver volume index (P = 0.0001), and ascites (P = 0.009) were strongly correlated with Child-Pugh grades. With CT, only ascites was correlated with Child-Pugh grades (P = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that liver volume index on MRI, and ascites on CT and MRI are good indicators of clinical severity of cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis. To show the effect of the other parameters, more research is needed with larger patient groups.
Saygili
O Barutcu
OB
Departments of Radiology, Adana Research and Teaching Center, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey. obarutcu@yahoo.com
Tarhan
N C
NC
Yildirim
T
T
Serin
E
E
Ozer
B
B
Agildere
A M
AM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*