Can We Rely on mDixon Technique on Quantification of Hepatic Steatosis?

Abstract

Background: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is currently the outstanding cause of chronic liver disease. Magnetic Resonance (MR) is widely used in clinical trials to noninvasively quantify liver fat content. Aim of Study:To determine the accuracy of mDixon MR technique in quantification of liver fat and correlate the results with liver biopsy. Material and Methods:A prospective study was conducted at Mansoura University Hospitals between March 2017 to November 2018. This study included forty two patients who were referred from gastroenterology clinic for non-hepatic complaints. Clinical examination and estimation of body mass index was recorded in all patients. Abdominal ultrasonography was done to all patients only to exclude focal lesions and gross morphological changes, then MRI evaluation of the upper abdomen using the mDixon protocol. Within a week interval period, patients had liver biopsy.Results: There was good correlation between the MR estimation of liver fat and histological grading, yielding sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 85.7% with accuracy of 84.62% at cut off point of 14.545.Conclusion: MR estimation of the liver using mDixon technique provided specific information about liver fat, correlated well with the histological grading. Non invasive technique, does not require ionising radiation hence recommended as method of choice of liver fat quantification.