Staging liver fibrosis on multiparametric MRI in a rabbit model with elastography, susceptibility-weighted imaging and T1ρ imaging: a preliminary study

Abstract

Background Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and T1ρ are three techniques for staging of liver fibrosis (LF). Purpose To assess the value of MRE, SWI, and T1ρ imaging in staging LF. Material and Methods Sixty rabbits were injected with 50% CCl4oil solution, whereas 20 rabbits were given normal saline. All rabbits underwent pathological examination to determine LF stages. The liver stiffness (LS), liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (SIR), and T1ρ values were measured from MRE, SWI, and T1ρ imaging, respectively. Results The number of rabbits was 14, 11, 10, 9, and 11 for F0, F1, F2, F3, and F4, respectively. LS ( r = 0.91) and T1ρ ( r = 0.51) positively correlated with LF stages, while negative correlation was present for SIR ( r = –0.81). Among the three parameters, the LS values revealed the best diagnostic efficacy in staging LF, with an AUC value of 0.95 for ≥F1, 0.95 for ≥F2, 0.99 for ≥F3, and 0.98 for ≥F4. The combination of LS and SIR could best predict LF stages ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3 and ≥F4, with AUC values of 0.97, 0.98, 0.99, and 0.99, respectively, which were greater than those of the other two-paired parameters. A multiparametric analysis showed that the combination of all three parameters had AUC values of 0.97, 0.98, 1.00, and 1.00 for staging ≥F1, ≥F2, ≥F3, and ≥F4, respectively. Conclusion Multiparametric MR imaging was superior to individual imaging for LF staging.