[The application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and computerized tomography in evaluating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) and computerized tomography (CT) in evaluating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).


METHODS
Twenty-two NAFLD patients were selected, according to the Chinese Medical Association standard, and compared with 20 healthy persons (as the control group). Their body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), and blood pressure (BP) were examined. The serum ALT, the concentration of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and uric acid (UA) were tested simultaneously. The severity of hepatosteatosis was evaluated by 1HMRS and CT scans of their livers. The intrahepatic content of lipid (IHCL) and CT liver and spleen ratios were measured.


RESULTS
The BMI, WHR, serum ALT, FBG, TG, and UA were all elevated significantly in the NAFLD group and were (28.4+/-2.4) kg/m2, 0.91+/-0.04, (71.5+/-24.8) U/L, (5.67+/-0.61) mmol/L, (2.48+/-1.46) mmol/L, (420.7+/-57.5)micromol/L, respectively, P less than 0.01 or 0.05. Meanwhile, in the NAFLD group, the IHCL calculated by 1HMRS were increased and CT value ratios were decreased significantly compared with those of the control group (27.49%+/-12.27% vs 1.34%+/-0.79%, P less than 0.01). However, there was no correlation between the clinical features and the IHCL and between the clinical features and CT value ratios, but a negative correlation existed in the CT value ratio and IHCL.


CONCLUSIONS
The intrahepatic content of lipids can be measured precisely by 1HMRS, and 1HMRS is better than CT in quantitative evaluations of NAFLD.
Wang
Nan
N
Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Rao
Jing-jing
JJ
Dong
Hui
H
Qi
Jian-pin
JP
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult