[Diagnosis of liver pathologies based on apparent diffusion coefficient of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging in a rabbit model of liver fibrosis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (MR-DWI) for diagnosis of the liver pathologies in rabbit model of liver fibrosis.


METHODS
MR-DWI with four different b values (200, 500, 300 and 600 s/mm(2)) was performed in 4 normal New Zealand white rabbits and 13 rabbits with experimental liver fibrosis. For each rabbit, 4 ADC values were obtained in the left and right lobes of the liver. According to the ISHAK criteria of liver histopathological scoring and fibrosis staging system, all the liver specimens were histopathologically graded (scores 1-6 for grade I, 7-12 for grade II, and 13-18 for grade III) and assessed for fibrosis staging (stages I to VI). The variation of ADC values were analyzed based on the results of histopathological grading and fibrosis staging.


RESULTS
The 4 ADC values were obviously lower in rabbits with liver fibrosis than in the normal control rabbits. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in the ADC values between the normal control and liver fibrosis groups, and between the rabbits with different histopathological grades and fibrosis stages (P=0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
Liver fibrosis results in significantly lowered ADC values of the liver depending on the histopathological grades and fibrosis stages. The pathological basis for these changes lies in reduced water content and restricted Brownian motion of water in the liver due to hepatocyte degeneration and swelling, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition in the interstitial space.
Li
Shao-lin
SL
Diagnostic Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. lishaolin1963@126.com
Zhang
Xue-lin
XL
Zhu
You-fu
YF
Chen
Ping-yan
PY
Chen
Bin
B
Qu
Hua-li
HL
D000818:Animals; D004058:Diffusion; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits