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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 9/2018

01-09-2018 | Gastrointestinal

Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1 relaxometry for assessment of liver function determined by real-time 13C-methacetin breath test

Authors: Michael Haimerl, Irene Fuhrmann, Stefanie Poelsterl, Claudia Fellner, Marcel D. Nickel, Kilian Weigand, Marc H. Dahlke, Niklas Verloh, Christian Stroszczynski, Philipp Wiggermann

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 9/2018

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Abstract

Objectives

To determine whether liver function as determined by intravenous administration of 13C-methacetin and continuous real-time breath analysis can be estimated quantitatively from gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) relaxometry.

Methods

Sixty-six patients underwent a 13C-methacetin breath test (13C-MBT) for evaluation of liver function and Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1-relaxometry at 3 T. A transverse 3D VIBE sequence with an inline T1 calculation based on variable flip angles was acquired prior to (T1 pre) and 20 min post-Gd-EOB-DTPA (T1 post) administration. The reduction rate of T1 relaxation time (rrT1) and T1 relaxation velocity index (∆R1) between pre- and post-contrast images was evaluated. 13C-MBT values were correlated with T1post, ∆R1 and rrT1, providing an MRI-based estimated 13C-MBT value. The interobserver reliability was assessed by determining the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

Stratified by three different categories of 13C-MBT readouts, there was a constant increase of T1 post with increasing progression of diminished liver function (p ≤ 0.030) and a constant significant decrease of ∆R1 (p ≤ 0.025) and rrT1 (p < 0.018) with progression of liver damage as assessed by 13C-methacetin breath analysis. ICC for all T1 relaxation values and indices was excellent (> 0.88). A simple regression model showed a log-linear correlation of 13C-MBT values with T1post (r = 0.57; p < 0.001), ∆R1 (r = 0.59; p < 0.001) and rrT1 (r = 0.70; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Liver function as determined using real-time 13C-methacetin breath analysis can be estimated quantitatively from Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR relaxometry.

Key Points

• Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1 relaxometry quantifies liver function
• Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR relaxometry may provide parameters for assessing liver function before surgery
• Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR relaxometry may be useful for monitoring liver disease progression
• Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR relaxometry has the potential to become a novel liver function index
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Metadata
Title
Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1 relaxometry for assessment of liver function determined by real-time 13C-methacetin breath test
Authors
Michael Haimerl
Irene Fuhrmann
Stefanie Poelsterl
Claudia Fellner
Marcel D. Nickel
Kilian Weigand
Marc H. Dahlke
Niklas Verloh
Christian Stroszczynski
Philipp Wiggermann
Publication date
01-09-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 9/2018
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5337-y

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