MRI-based estimation of liver function by intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging.
To explore the usefulness of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) to evaluate the hepatic functional reserve as expressed by the model for Child-Pugh class.



IVIM diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using 10 different b values were performed on a Philips 3.0T MR scanner in 70 patients with liver cirrhosis and 60 healthy volunteers as the control group. Patients with liver cirrhosis were subdivided into three groups: Child-Pugh class A: 29 cases; Child-Pugh class B: 19 cases; Child-Pugh class C: 22 cases. Pure molecular diffusion (D), pseudo-diffusion (D*), perfusion fraction (f) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated, and used to determine liver function, as indicated by the Child-Pugh class.



The ICC values of D, D*, f and ADC between two radiologists were 0.997, 0.986, 0.985 and 0.995, respectively. D*, f and ADC values of liver cirrhosis group were significantly lower than control group (P<0.001, P=0.016, P=0.042, respectively). D*, f and ADC values significantly decreased with increasing Child-Pugh scores (p<0.05). Child-Pugh scores were inversely correlated with D* and f values (r=-0.423, r=-0.620, respectively). The areas under the curve (AUCs) of D* and f for evaluating liver function were 0.67-0.90 and 0.78-0.89, respectively.



IVIM DWI may be a useful image-based method for assessing liver function.
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Jing
J
Zhang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Yihao
Y
Guo
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Xiangliang
X
Tan
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Zeyu
Z
Zheng
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Mengqi
M
He
Department of Hematology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Jun
J
Xu
Philips Healthcare, Guangzhou 18F, Tower B, CIC No.33 Zhongshan san Road, YueXiu District, Guangzhou, China.
Yingjie
Y
Mei
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Jiajun
J
Zhang
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Xixi
X
Zhao
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Chunhong
C
Wang
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Yanqiu
Y
Feng
Philips Healthcare, Science Park East Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Queenie
Q
Chan
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Yuankui
Y
Wu
Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: yikai.xu@163.com.
Yikai
Y
Xu
D000328:Adult; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009038:Motion; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
Child–Pugh class; DWI; Intravoxel incoherent motion; Liver function