Usefulness of T1 mapping on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging in assessment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

This study evaluates the value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for diagnosis and staging of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in an animal model by T-1 relaxation time measurement. Thirty-four rabbits were divided into the control group (n = 10) and NAFLD group, which was split into four groups (n = 6) with a high-fat diet for an interval of 3 weeks. A dual flip angle was performed before and at the hepatobiliary phase (HBP). T-1 relaxation times of the liver parenchyma and the decrease rate (a dagger%) were calculated. Histological findings according to semi-quantitative scoring of steatosis, activity and fibrosis were the standard of reference. HBP and a dagger% T-1 relaxation time measurement showed significant differences between normal and NAFLD groups, between non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NAFLD without NASH (p = 0.000-0.049), between fibrosis groups (p = 0.000-0.019), but no difference between F1 and F2 (p = 0.834). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of T-1 relaxation time for HBP and a dagger% were 0.86-0.93 for the selection of NASH and activity score a parts per thousand yen2, and 0.86-0.95 for the selection of F a parts per thousand yen 1, 2, 3. No significant difference was found for diagnostic performance between HBP and a dagger% T-1 relaxation time. HBP T-1 relaxation time measurement of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI was useful to evaluate NAFLD according to the SAF score. HBP T-1 relaxation time measurement was as accurate as a dagger% T-1 relaxation time. aEuro cent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI could give useful information on NAFLD. aEuro cent HBP T (1) relaxation time measurement was useful for the evaluation of NAFLD. aEuro cent HBP T (1) relaxation time measurement was as accurate as a dagger%.