Association of MRI-derived Segmental Nonfunctional Liver Volume and Chronic Liver Disease

Abstract

Purpose

To determine whether the nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) is an indicator of chronic liver disease (CLD).

Materials and Methods

Multiparametric 3T abdominal MRI examinations enhanced with gadobenate dimeglumine of 51 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups: patients with (n=20) and without (n=31) CLD. Pre- and postcontrast T1 relaxation times of the liver and aorta were measured in the T1 mapping sequences. Total and segmental liver volumes (Lvol) were determined using a convolutional neuronal network. The functional liver fraction (FLF) defined as [(1/T1_{liver postcontrast} − 1/T1_{liver precontrast}) ÷ (1/T1_{blood pool postcontrast} − 1/T1_{blood pool precontrast})] × (1 − hematocrit) and the nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) defined as (1 − FLF) × Lvol were calculated for the whole liver, segments I–III, and IV–VIII. Volumes, FLF, and NFLV were compared between the groups using the Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operation characteristics (ROC) analysis.

Results

Volumes were significantly higher in patients with CLD than without CLD for the whole liver (p<.01), segments I–III (p<.001), and segments IV–VIII (p<.01). No significant difference was found regarding FLF (p=.20–31). NFLV of the whole liver (p<.01), segments I–III (p<.001), and IV–VIII (p<.01) were significantly increased in patients with CLD. The highest AUCs were observed for Lvol (AUC=.80; p<.001) and NFLV (AUC=.78; p<.001), both in segments I–III. The optimal NFLV cutoff values for CLD were 745 ml for the whole liver (77 % sensitivity; 75% specificity), 174 ml for segments I–III (85% sensitivity; 70% specificity), and 573 ml for segments IV–VIII (77% sensitivity; 75% specificity).

Conclusion

MRI-derived nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) is helpful for early detection of imaging changes in CLD. NFLV is highly associated with CLD, notably when measured in the liver segments I–III.

Key Points

• MRI-derived NFLV may be useful for early detection of CLD.

• NFLV is significantly higher in patients with CLD than those without.

• The best AUC was obtained when NFLV was calculated for segments I–III.

Citation Format

• Ardoino M, Zbinden L, Klaus JB et al. Association of MRI-derived Segmental Nonfunctional Liver Volume and Chronic Liver Disease. Rofo 2025; 197: 1300–1310

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Überprüfen, ob das nicht-funktionelle Lebervolumen (NFLV) ein Indikator für chronische Lebererkrankung (CLD) ist.

Material und Methoden

In die Studie wurden 51 multiparametrische 3T-MRT-Untersuchungen des Abdomens mit Gadobenatdimeglumin eingeschlossen und in zwei Gruppen aufgeteilt: Patienten mit (n=20) und ohne (n=31) CLD. Die T1-Relaxationszeiten von der Leber und Aorta vor und nach Kontrastmittelgabe wurden auf den T1 mapping sequences gemessen. Das Gesamtvolumen der Leber und die segmentalen Lebervolumina (Lvol) wurden mit einem Convolutional Neuronal Network bestimmt. Der funktionelle Leberanteil (FLF), definiert als [(1/T1_{Leber postkontrast} − 1/T1_{Leber präkontrast}) ÷ (1/T1_{Blutpool postkontrast} − 1/T1_{Blutpool präkontrast)}] × (1 − Hämatokrit) und das nichtfunktionelle Lebervolumen (NFLV), definiert als (1 − FLF) × Lvol, wurden für die gesamte Leber, Segmente I–III und IV–VIII berechnet. Lebervolumen, FLF und NFLV wurden mittels Mann-Whitney-U-Test und der ROC-Analyse (Receiver Operation Characteristics) zwischen den Gruppen verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Das Volumen der Gesamtleber (p<.01), der Segmente I–III (p<.001) und der Segmente IV–VIII (p<.01) waren bei Patienten mit CLD signifikant höher als bei Patienten ohne CLD. Für die FLF wurde kein signifikanter Unterschied gefunden (p=.20–31). Die NFLV der gesamten Leber (p<.01), der Segmente I–III (p<.001) und IV–VIII (p<.01) waren bei Patienten mit CLD signifikant höher als bei Patienten ohne CLD. Die höchste AUC-Werte ergaben sich für Lvol (AUC=.80; p<.001) und NFLV (AUC=.78; p<.001), beide in den Segmenten I–III. Die optimalen Cutoff-Werte der NFLV für CLD waren 745 ml für die gesamte Leber (77% Sensitivität; 75% Spezifität), 174 ml für die Segmente I–III (85% Sensitivität; 70% Spezifität) und 573 ml für die Segmente IV–VIII (77% Sensitivität; 75% Spezifität).

Schlussforderung

Das mittels MRT bestimmte, nicht-funktionelle Lebervolumen (NFLV) ist für die frühzeitige Erkennung von bildgebenden Veränderungen der CLD geeignet. Das NFLV ist in hohem Maße mit CLD assoziiert, vor allem wenn es in den Lebersegmenten I–III gemessen wird.

Kernaussagen

• Das mittels MRT bestimmte NFLV ist für die CLD-Früherkennung nützlich.

• Das NFLV ist bei Patienten mit CLD signifikant höher als bei Patienten ohne CLD.

• Die beste AUC wurde mit der NFLV der Segmente I–III erzielt.

Keywords

MRI - T1 mapping - liver fibrosis - chronic liver disease - nonfunctional liver volume

Publication History

Received: 29 July 2024

Accepted after revision: 08 January 2025

Article published online:
10 March 2025

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