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European Radiology

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01-07-2019 | Magnetic Resonance

T1 mapping for liver function evaluation in gadoxetic acid–enhanced MR imaging: comparison of look-locker inversion recovery and B₁ inhomogeneity–corrected variable flip angle method

Authors: Ji Eun Kim, Hyun Ok Kim, Kyungsoo Bae, Dae Seob Choi, Dominik Nickel

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 7/2019

Abstract

Objectives

To compare look-locker inversion recovery (LLIR) and B₁ inhomogeneity–corrected variable flip angle T1 mapping methods for estimation of liver function and prediction of hepatic insufficiency and decompensation on gadoxetic acid–enhanced MR imaging.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 248 patients with normal liver function, chronic liver disease, or cirrhosis underwent gadoxetic acid–enhanced liver MR imaging, including T1 mapping at 10-min and 20-min hepatobiliary phase (HBP) by using both methods. T1 relaxation times of the liver (T1_Liver-pre, T1_Liver-post) and the spleen (T1_Spleen) were correlated between two methods. ΔT1_Liver ([T1_Liver-pre − T1_Liver-post]/T1_Liver-pre), adjusted T1_Liver ([T1_Spleen − T1_Liver-post]/T1_Spleen), and functional liver volume-to-weight ratio (liver volume on volumetric T1 map/[T1_Liver-post × patient’s weight]) were calculated. The diagnostic performance of T1 parameters and the predictive performance of models (serum marker, serum marker plus T1 parameter) were compared.

Results

T1_Liver-post showed a strong correlation (r = 0.93, p < 0.001) between two methods but was significantly different. For depicting cirrhosis, LLIR-adjusted T1_Liver at 10-min HBP showed the highest performance (p < 0.025). For predicting hepatic insufficiency and decompensation, LLIR-adjusted T1_Liver (Akaike information criterion (AIC), 58.37; C-index, 0.867) and LLIR-T1_Liver-post (AIC, 48.82; C-index, 0.885) at 10-min HBP showed the best performance, respectively, when added to serum albumin level.

Conclusions

T1_Liver-post showed a strong correlation between two methods but with significant differences. T1 mapping using LLIR at 10-min HBP with obtainment of adjusted T1_Liver and T1_Liver-post may be the best approach for estimation of liver function and prediction of hepatic insufficiency and decompensation.

Key Points

• T1 _Liver-post showed a strong correlation between LLIR and B ₁ inhomogeneity–corrected VFA methods, both at 10-min and 20-min HBP but with significant differences.

• T1 _Liver-post at 10-min and 20-min HBP using LLIR and B ₁ inhomogeneity–corrected VFA methods could not be used interchangeably during the follow-up in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) or cirrhosis.

• T1 mapping using LLIR at 10-min HBP with obtainment of adjusted T1 _Liver and T1 _Liver-post may be the most suitable method and parameter for estimation of global liver function and prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with CLD or cirrhosis.

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Title: T1 mapping for liver function evaluation in gadoxetic acid–enhanced MR imaging: comparison of look-locker inversion recovery and B1 inhomogeneity–corrected variable flip angle method
Authors: Ji Eun Kim
Hyun Ok Kim
Kyungsoo Bae
Dae Seob Choi
Dominik Nickel
Publication date: 01-07-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 7/2019
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5947-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

T1 mapping for liver function evaluation in gadoxetic acid–enhanced MR imaging: comparison of look-locker inversion recovery and B₁ inhomogeneity–corrected variable flip angle method

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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