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Phase‐contrast MR flow imaging: A tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics in rats with a healthy, fibrotic, or cirrhotic liver
Author(s) -
Schaffner Denise,
Elverfeldt Dominik,
Deibert Peter,
Lazaro Adhara,
Merfort Irmgard,
Lutz Lisa,
Neubauer Jakob,
Baumstark Manfred W.,
Kreisel Wolfgang,
Reichardt Wilfried
Publication year - 2017
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.25677
Subject(s) - medicine , cirrhosis , magnetic resonance imaging , hemodynamics , fibrosis , portal hypertension , thioacetamide , pathology , gastroenterology , nuclear medicine , radiology
Purpose To test a magnetic resonance (MR) scanning protocol as a noninvasive tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics and to assess the degree of liver fibrosis in an animal model of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Materials and Methods Fifty‐four male Wistar rats were studied. Thirty‐nine received thioacetamide (TAA) in their drinking water for either 12 or 16 weeks. MR measurements were performed using flow‐sensitive 2D phase‐contrast MRI and a 9.4T preclinical scanner. The following hemodynamic parameters were investigated: portal cross‐sectional area, mean portal flow velocity, and portal and aortic flow volume rate. Therefore, rats ( n = 46) were divided into three groups: CON (control, n = 13), FIB (fibrosis, n = 25), and CIR (cirrhosis, n = 8). Furthermore, the degree of liver fibrosis was assessed by a self‐established MR score and verified by a standardized histological score ( n = 48). Results Portal and aortic flow parameters could be reliably detected. A significant decrease in portal flow velocity was found in FIB (FIB vs. CON: –21%, P = 0.006 and CIR vs. CON: –17%, P = 0.105) and in portal flow volume rate in FIB and CIR (FIB vs. CON: –20%, P = 0.009 and CIR vs. CON: –25%, P = 0.024). If the histological score is taken as standard, the self‐established MR score enabled discrimination between healthy and diseased livers (sensitivity to identify diseased livers: 89% and specificity to identify healthy livers: 100%). Conclusion This MR scanning protocol presents a noninvasive tool to determine hepatic hemodynamics in healthy and diseased rats. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1526–1534.