Introduction

Liver function evaluation can provide important information for the selection of treatment strategy for patients with liver cirrhosis and for the prevention of liver failure after treatment [1]. The changes of blood flow and intrahepatic perfusion in patients with liver cirrhosis will affect the process of liver metabolism, and then affect the abnormality of liver function indicators, such as total bilirubin, prealbumin and albumin [2,3]. This study aims to evaluated the correlations between the quantitative measurements by 4D flow, T1/T2 mapping and clinical functional indicators of liver in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 3.0 T magnetic resonance (Ingenia CX) scans admitted to our hospital from October 2019 to October 2020, and diagnosed as patients with cirrhosis after clinical manifestations, laboratory examination and imaging examination (Table1). Liver function-related tests, including total bilirubin (TBIL), total bile acid (TBA), prealbumin (PLB), albumin (ALB), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), prothrombin time (PT), were recorded for patients. 11 cases (7 men, 4 women, and 54 years of median age) were finally admitted to the group. Two observers (MR diagnosis for three and two years) completed data measurements at Philips Intelli Space Portal (ISP). T1/T2 relaxation time were generated from the T1/T2 mapping scan. Three ROIs were placed at the maximum level of the left lobe of the liver, the right anterior lobe of the liver and the right posterior lobe of the liver, respectively (Figure1). The acquired images were processed on CVI42 package (Canada Circle Cardiovascular Imaging）by an experienced radiologist to obtain the 3D angiogram. Four cut planes were manually placed to measure the flow，the flow rate (cm/s), the axial-wall shear stress (WSS, Pa), and the pressure gradient (mmHg) in the targeted vessel segments. Three planes were placed at the proximal, middle, and distal of the main portal vein and one at the splenic vein confluence as reference (Figure 2). The measured data are averaged for reduced error. SPSS22.0 statistical analysis software was used for statistical analysis. Spearman was used to analyze the correlation between various quantitative parameters and results of liver function tests.

Results

The T1 relaxation time is positively correlated with GGT and AST (r = 0.531 and 0.525, P＜0.05). The T1 relaxation time is negatively correlated with PLB (r = 0.510, P＜0.05). The Flow is positively correlated with TBIL, TBA (r = 0.798 and 0.881, P＜0.05). The Flow rate is positively correlated with TBA (r = 0.881, P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in other parts of the quantitative parameters (Table 2).

Conclusion and Discussion

The quantitative parameters of permeability analysis and 4D flow were observed to be significantly related to results of liver function in patients with cirrhosis. Flow and Flow rate reflects the blood supply of the liver, thereby affecting liver function. The correlation among T1/T2 times of liver cirrhosis and liver meritorious service is observed. Quantitative parameters of magnetic resonance is necessary in clinical practice.

Acknowledgements

No acknowledgement found.

References

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