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Quantitative evaluation of liver function with T1 relaxation time index on Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI: Comparison with signal intensity‐based indices
Author(s) -
Kamimura Kiyohisa,
Fukukura Yoshihiko,
Yoneyama Tomohide,
Takumi Koji,
Tateyama Akihiro,
Umanodan Aya,
Shindo Toshikazu,
Kumagae Yuichi,
Ueno Shinichi,
Koriyama Chihaya,
Nakajo Masayuki
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.24443
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , nuclear medicine , relaxation (psychology) , intensity (physics) , indocyanine green , liver function , gadolinium , flip angle , radiology , surgery , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Purpose To evaluate whether the reduction rate of T1 relaxation time of the liver (T1 relaxation time index) before and 20 minutes after gadolinium‐ethoxybenzyl‐diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA) injection has the potential to serve as an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based liver function test in comparison with signal intensity‐based indices. Materials and Methods Ninety‐nine patients with suspected liver lesions underwent Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI. T1 maps using 3D T1‐weighted gradient‐echo volumetric interpolated examination with two different flip angles were also performed before and 20 minutes after Gd‐EOB‐DTPA administration. T1 relaxation time index was compared with four signal intensity‐based indices in terms of the ability to discriminate Child‐Pugh A (CPA) and Child‐Pugh B (CPB) from normal liver function (NLF), and in terms of its correlation with indocyanine green (ICG) clearance. Results Twenty‐four patients were classified as NLF, 64 patients were classified as CPA, and 11 were classified as CPB group. The T1 relaxation time index was significantly lower for CPA (0.62 ± 0.08 vs. 0.68 ± 0.07, P = 0.021) and CPB (0.55 ± 0.15 vs. 0.68 ± 0.07, P < 0.001) than for NLF. All signal intensity‐based indices showed significant differences only when comparing NLF and CPB. The correlation coefficient with ICG clearance was the highest for T1 relaxation time index ( r = −0.605, P < 0.001). Conclusion The T1 relaxation time index has the potential to serve as an MRI‐based liver function test, and is most strongly correlated with ICG clearance among the Gd‐EOB‐DTPA MRI‐based indices investigated. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:884–889 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc .