title: Hepatobiliary phase images using gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid-enhanced MRI as an imaging surrogate for the albumin-bilirubin grading system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the correlation between hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images using gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grading system.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated 220 consecutive patients who underwent liver magnetic resonance imaging with Gd-EOB-DTPA. Quantitative liver-spleen contrast ratio (Q-LSC) was calculated in HBP images approximately 20min after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration. To evaluate the degree of association between Q-LSC and ALBI grade, the Child-Pugh (C-P) score was used for comparison. Correlation coefficients were calculated, and median Q-LSC values were compared with the C-P scores and ALBI grades. The Steel-Dwass multiple comparison test was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The correlation coefficient between Q-LSC and C-P score was -0.35, P<0.0001, and the ALBI grade was -0.61, P<0.0001. Q-LSC of overall median, C-P A, B, and C were 1.94, 1.91, 1.96, and 1.33, respectively. The differences between C-P A and C-P B, C-P B and C-P C, and C-P A and C-P C were P=0.999, 0.126, and 0.149, respectively. Q-LSC of the overall median, ALBI grade 1, 2, and 3 were 1.94, 2.12, 1.69, and 1.30, respectively. The differences between ALBI grades 1 and 2, 2 and 3, and 1 and 3 were P<0.0001, P=0.0466, and P=0.0035, respectively. Q-LSC was better correlated and discriminated by ALBI grade than C-P score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A strong correlation was observed between Q-LSC of an HBP image with Gd-EOB-DTPA and ALBI grade; HBP imaging could be a surrogate for the ALBI grade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Osaka Red Cross Hospital, 5-30 Fudegasaki, Tennouji-ku, Osaka, 543-8555, Japan; Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, 920-0942, Japan. Electronic address: pcblue2@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takatsu
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, 920-0942, Japan. Electronic address: satoshik@staff.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, 920-0942, Japan. Electronic address: ramiyati@mhs.mp.kanazawa-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Tosiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyati
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Osaka Red Cross Hospital, 5-30 Fudegasaki, Tennouji-ku, Osaka, 543-8555, Japan. Electronic address: shiozaki.toshiki@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Toshiki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shiozaki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D012709:Serum Albumin; C073590:gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D001663:Bilirubin
keywords: Albumin–bilirubin grade; Child–Pugh score; Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid; Liver function; Quantitative liver–spleen contrast ratio