Shimamoto_2015_Biomed.Res.Int_2015_141853

Purpose. To evaluate whether the diagnostic performance of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in evaluating liver function and pathology is improved by considering liver volume (LV). Methods. This retrospective study included 104 patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI before liver surgery. For each patient, using the precontrast and hepatobiliary phase images, we calculated the increase rate of the liver-to-spleen signal intensity ratio (LSR), that is, the "DeltaLSR," and the increase rate of the liver-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (LMR), that is, the "DeltaLMR." DeltaLSR x LV and DeltaLMR x LV were also calculated. The correlation of each MR parameter with liver function data or liver pathology was assessed. The correlation coefficients were compared between DeltaLSR (DeltaLMR) and DeltaLSR (DeltaLMR) x LV. Results. The correlation coefficient between DeltaLSR (DeltaLMR) x LV and cholinesterase was significantly higher than that between DeltaLSR (DeltaLMR) and cholinesterase. The correlation coefficient between DeltaLSR (DeltaLMR) x LV and the degree of fibrosis or necroinflammatory activity was significantly lower than that between DeltaLSR (DeltaLMR) and the degree of fibrosis or necroinflammatory activity. Conclusion. The inclusion of liver volume may improve Gd-EOB-DTPA-based predictions of liver function, but not in predictions of liver pathology.