title: Diffusion-weighted MRI for the assessment of liver fibrosis: principles and applications.
abstract: The importance of an early identification of hepatic fibrosis has been emphasized, in order to start therapy and obtain fibrosis regression. Biopsy is the gold-standard method for the assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases, but it is limited by complications, interobserver variability, and sampling errors. Several noninvasive methods have been recently introduced into clinical routine, in order to detect liver fibrosis early. One of the most diffuse approaches is represented by diffusion-weighted liver MRI. In this review, the main technical principles are briefly reported in order to explain the rationale for clinical applications. In addition, roles of apparent diffusion coefficient, intravoxel incoherent motion, and relative apparent diffusion coefficient are also reported, showing their advantages and limits.
authors: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: 0000-0002-7196-2974
authors: S
authors: Palmucci
authors: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Giuseppina
authors: 0000-0002-8230-9567
authors: G
authors: Cappello
authors: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Attinà
authors: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Fuccio Sanzà
authors: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Pietro Valerio
authors: PV
authors: Foti
authors: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Giovanni Carlo
authors: GC
authors: Ettorre
authors: Radiodiagnostic and Radiotherapy Unit, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele", 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Milone
mesh_terms: D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography