Non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis using magnetic resonance elastography in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C

BackgroundLiver biopsy has been the reference standard when evaluating fibrosis due to recurrent hepatitis after liver transplantation. Magnetic resonance elastography estimates liver stiffness, correlating to fibrosis. AimTo investigate the utility of elastography in staging liver fibrosis in transplant recipients with hepatitis C. MethodsFifty-four patients, 12months post-transplant, underwent elastography within threemonths of biopsy. Discriminatory capability for METAVIR fibrosis stages F0-2 vs. F3-4 and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis were determined. ResultsOn biopsy, 27 patients had METAVIR fibrosis score 0-1; 12 had a 3 or 4. There was significant correlation between histologic fibrosis and shear stiffness (R-2=0.588, p<0.0001). Using a cutoff value of 3.5 kPa, elastography was 91% sensitive and 72% specific in differentiating fibrosis scores of 3 from 0 to 1. The AUC of elastography in predicting a fibrosis score of 3 was 0.92. Multivariate analysis revealed no correlation between the grade of histologic inflammation and liver stiffness measured by magnetic resonance elastography (R-2=0.265, p=0.47). ConclusionMagnetic resonance elastography is an accurate non-invasive technique for excluding stage 3 graft in recipients with hepatitis C.