Evaluation of liver diseases via MTC and contrast agent

Induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats: Hepatic Steatosis, Macromolecule Content, Perfusion Parameters, and Their Correlations—Preliminary MR Imaging in Rats

“…An alternative conclusion could be drawn if no morphologic distinction is made between fibrosis with and that without cirrhosis due to the reversal in MTR during the evolution of fibrosis to cirrhosis. The slightly higher MTR in cirrhotic liver than in the control liver found in our study is consistent with results of a previous patient study (10).…”

“…For instance, in results of a rabbit study (28) a decrease in MTR was found in acute fatty liver sec- ondary to histologic changes associated with fatty change. In results of a previous human study (10) the MTR in patients with fatty liver was approximately 40% (0.41 vs 0.68) lower than that in control subjects, while the MTR in patients with pure cirrhosis was approximately 13% (0.77 vs 0.68) higher. In our study results, therefore, although no significant correlation was found between MTR and FWR, the trends of modulation of these variables may be suggestive of their potential relationship in the evolution of the disease.…”

Magnetization Transfer Contrast–prepared MR Imaging of the Liver: Inability to Distinguish Healthy from Cirrhotic Liver

“…These fi ndings support the ability of the MT sequence used in this study to allow successful distinction of substances of varying macromolecule concentration and suggest that the inability to distinguish cirrhotic liver derives from a biologic aspect of this particular disease process rather than a technologic shortcoming of the pulse sequence used. Prior studies that have assessed the relationship between MT ratio and liver fi brosis and cirrhosis have been inconclusive ( 12,13,15,21 ). Although authors of some studies have suggested that MT imaging may be useful for this purpose ( 12,13,15 ), review of the data presented in these studies helps identify possible study limitations that mitigate their conclusions.…”

“…Prior studies that have assessed the relationship between MT ratio and liver fi brosis and cirrhosis have been inconclusive ( 12,13,15,21 ). Although authors of some studies have suggested that MT imaging may be useful for this purpose ( 12,13,15 ), review of the data presented in these studies helps identify possible study limitations that mitigate their conclusions. For instance, while Aisen et al ( 12 )observed signifi cant differences in the effect of the MT pulse on relaxation rates in the liver between control rats and rats treated with CCl 4 to induce liver fi brosis, there was no correlation between these parameters and hepatic hydroxyproline content or histologic fi brosis grade.…”

“…The MT sequence was performed as a single axial two-dimensional section by using a spoiled gradient-echo acquisition with the following parameters: repetition time msec/echo time seem well-suited for the noninvasive assessment of liver fi brosis and cirrhosis. Indeed, previous studies have suggested a possible role for MT imaging in this setting (12)(13)(14)(15). However, these studies have varied in the parameters of the MT presaturation RF pulse (in particular, the frequency offset of the MT pulse), limiting their reproducibility and suggesting a need for optimization of the MT technique.…”