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European Radiology

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01-11-2018 | Magnetic Resonance

Feasibility of balanced steady-state free precession sequence at 1.5T for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents

Authors: Hong-xi Zhang, Jun-fen Fu, Can Lai, Feng-yu Tian, Xiao-li Su, Ke Huang

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 11/2018

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) imaging for measuring hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents, using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H MRS) as reference standard.

Methods

182 obese Chinese paediatric patients underwent conventional T1-weighted dual echo MRI, ¹H MRS and b-SSFP imaging for non-invasive assessment of hepatic steatosis.

Results

There was a strong positive correlation between liver fat fraction (FF) on T1-weighted dual echo MRI and ¹H MRS-determined liver fat content (LFC) (r = 0.964, p < .001), and a strong negative correlation between the ratio of liver signal intensity (SI) to spleen SI (L/S) on b-SSFP and LFC (r = −0.896, p < .001). ROC curve analysis based on a diagnostic threshold of ¹H MRS-determined LFC >50 mg/g (>5 % by wet weight) showed areas under the curves for FF and L/S at 0.989 (0.976–1.000) and 0.926 (0.888–0.964), respectively. Optimal FF and L/S cut-off values identified patients with hepatic steatosis with 97.9 % and 86.5 % sensitivity and 93.4 % and 93.4 % specificity, respectively.

Conclusions

Following further validation, b-SSFP at 1.5T has potential as a feasible technique for evaluation of hepatic steatosis in obese paediatric patients with limited breath-holding capacity.

Key Points

• L/S on b-SSFP images closely correlated with ¹ H MRS-determined LFC.

• b-SSFP has high diagnostic accuracy for hepatic steatosis in obese children.

• 100% of obese paediatric subjects are imaged successfully using b-SSFP sequence.

• b-SSFP has potential to evaluate hepatic steatosis in children with poor breath-hold.

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Title: Feasibility of balanced steady-state free precession sequence at 1.5T for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents
Authors: Hong-xi Zhang
Jun-fen Fu
Can Lai
Feng-yu Tian
Xiao-li Su
Ke Huang
Publication date: 01-11-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5344-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Feasibility of balanced steady-state free precession sequence at 1.5T for the evaluation of hepatic steatosis in obese children and adolescents

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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