Quantitative evaluation of gadoxetate hepatocyte phase homogeneity: potential imaging markers for detection of early cirrhosis.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: Does quantitative analysis of the gadoxetate hepatocyte phase homogeneity, measuring percent standard deviation of hepatocyte phase (SDHP) and liver-to-kidney enhancement ratio (LiKER) detect early hepatic fibrosis? MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of gadoxetate liver MRI plus biopsy-proven fibrosis within 6 months included 31 reversible hepatic fibrosis, 33 irreversible hepatic fibrosis, and 15 donors. Parenchymal and vascular SDHP and LiKER were measured on the 20-min hepatocyte phase using region of interest. RESULTS: Parenchymal SDHP, vascular SDHP and LiKER measurements differentiate early hepatic fibrosis from controls (P<.01). CONCLUSION: Quantitative analysis of gadoxetate hepatocyte phase homogeneity using SDHP and LiKER is a promising imaging biomarker for diagnosis of early liver fibrosis.