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Multiparametric MRI in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Author(s) -
Schaapman Jelte J.,
Tushuizen Maarten E.,
Coenraad Minneke J.,
Lamb Hildo J.
Publication year - 2021
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.27292
Subject(s) - nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , medicine , steatosis , liver biopsy , steatohepatitis , fatty liver , chronic liver disease , magnetic resonance imaging , fibrosis , biopsy , liver disease , magnetic resonance elastography , pathology , radiology , gastroenterology , elastography , disease , cirrhosis , ultrasound
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common cause of chronic liver disease in the world, affecting more than 25% of the adult population. NAFLD covers a spectrum including simple steatosis, in which lipid accumulation in hepatocytes is the predominant histological characteristic, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is characterized by additional hepatic inflammation with or without fibrosis. Liver biopsy is currently the reference standard to discriminate between hepatic steatosis and steatohepatitis. Since liver biopsy has several disadvantages, noninvasive diagnostic methods with high sensitivity and specificity are desirable for the analysis of NAFLD. Improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology are continuously being implemented in clinical practice, specifically multiparametric MRI methods such as proton density fat‐fraction (PDFF), T 2 *, and T 1 mapping, along with MR elastography. Multiparametric imaging of the liver has a promising role in the clinical management of NAFLD with quantification of fat content, iron load, and fibrosis, which are features in NAFLD. In the present article, we review the utility and limitations of multiparametric quantitative imaging of the liver for diagnosis and management of patients with NAFLD. Level of Evidence 5. Technical Efficacy Stage 3.