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Comparison of diffusion-weighted imaging and MR elastography in staging liver fibrosis: a meta-analysis

  • Hepatobiliary
  • Published:
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A Correction to this article was published on 26 May 2023

This article has been updated

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), gradient-recalled echo-based magnetic resonance elastography (GRE-MRE), and spin-echo echo-planar imaging-based MRE (SE-EPI-MRE) in liver fibrosis staging.

Methods

A systematic literature search was done to collect studies on the performance of DWI, GRE-MRE, and SE-EPI-MRE for diagnosing liver fibrosis. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and a summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were estimated with a bivariate random effects model. Subgroup analyses on various study characteristics were performed.

Results

Sixty studies with a total of 6620 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of GRE-MRE and SE-EPI-MRE showed high diagnostic accuracy and did not differ significantly. The area under the summary ROC curve for all stages of fibrosis differed significantly between DWI (0.83–0.88) and either GRE-MRE (0.95–0.97) or SE-EPI-MRE (0.95–0.99). Substantial heterogeneity was detected for all three imaging methods.

Conclusions

Both GRE-MRE and SE-EPI-MRE are highly accurate for detection of each liver fibrosis stage, with high potential to replace liver biopsy. Although DWI had a moderate accuracy in distinguishing liver fibrosis, it could be regarded as an alternative to MRE, since it is widely available and easily implemented in routine liver MRI.

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Data availability

Available.

Change history

Abbreviations

DWI:

Diffusion-weighted imaging

MRE:

Magnetic resonance elastography

GRE:

Gradient recalled echo

SE-EPI:

Spin-echo echo-planar imaging

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Acknowledgements

Weon Jang and Seongil Jo contributed equally to this study. Seongil Jo’s research was supported by INHA UNIVERSITY Research Grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea

    Weon Jang & Ji Soo Song

  2. Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea

    Weon Jang & Ji Soo Song

  3. Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 54907, Korea

    Weon Jang & Ji Soo Song

  4. Department of Statistics, Inha University, Incheon, Korea

    Seongil Jo

  5. Department of Surgery, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea

    Hong Pil Hwang

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Korea

    Seong-Hun Kim

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  1. Weon Jang
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  2. Seongil Jo
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  3. Ji Soo Song
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  4. Hong Pil Hwang
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Correspondence to Ji Soo Song.

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Jang, W., Jo, S., Song, J.S. et al. Comparison of diffusion-weighted imaging and MR elastography in staging liver fibrosis: a meta-analysis. Abdom Radiol 46, 3889–3907 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-021-03055-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-021-03055-2

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