Magnetic resonance elastography in the detection of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with cirrhosis and ascites

Abstract

• Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) shows promise in the detection of hepatorenal syndrome. • MRE has the potential to track renal disease in a clinical population. • MRE is a reliable diagnostic test with excellent inter-rater agreement.

More Studies are Needed Evaluating the Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Elastography for Allograft Renal Transplant Rejection

“…The authors note that MRE may not be applicable for transplant rejection as decreased perfusion in the setting of worsening transplant function can actually decrease transplant stiffness. We have found similar results in patients with hepatic cirrhosis who have developed hepatorenal syndrome and altered liver perfusion (4).…”

Utility of magnetic resonance elastography for predicting ascites in patients with chronic liver disease

“…27 Moreover, MRE-measured renal stiffness shows potential for the detection of hepatorenal syndrome. 28 In the present study, the cumulative incidence of ascites was significantly higher among patients with LS >6.0 kPa than among those with LS ≤6.0 kPa. Multivariate analysis also revealed LS >6.0 kPa to be an independent risk factor for the presence of ascites.…”

“…The spleen stiffness estimated by MRE can also reliably predict clinically significant portal hypertension . Moreover, MRE‐measured renal stiffness shows potential for the detection of hepatorenal syndrome …”

A clinical risk prediction model to identify patients with hepatorenal syndrome at hospital admission

“…Investigations have either looked at imaging modalities or novel biomarkers. Promising imaging modalities include magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound; whereas, evaluated biomarkers include arginine metabolism and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (nGAL) . Utilising nGAL has shown promise to differentiate acute tubular necrosis from HRS in cirrhotic patients; however, its performance appears diminished in patients with infection associated acute tubular necrosis …”