Observational Study
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2014; 20(24): 7964-7970
Published online Jun 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i24.7964
Value of MR diffusion imaging in hepatic fibrosis and its correlations with serum indices
Xing-Rong Hu, Xian-Nian Cui, Qi-Tuo Hu, Jun Chen
Xing-Rong Hu, Department of Imaging, The Central Hospital of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, The Enshi Clinical College of Wuhan University, Enshi 445000, Hubei Province, China
Xian-Nian Cui, Department of Laboratory, The Central Hospital of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, The Enshi Clinical College of Wuhan University, Enshi 445000, Hubei Province, China
Qi-Tuo Hu, Medical school of Hubei Institute for Nationalities, Enshi 445000, Hubei Province, China
Jun Chen, Department of Radiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430073, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: Hu XR performed the majority of topic design and experiments; Cui XN participated in a clinical trial and writing the manuscript; Hu QT was mainly involved in collection and statistical analysis of initial data; Chen J was responsible for writing and editing of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Xing-Rong Hu, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Imaging, The Central Hospital of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, The Enshi Clinical College of Wuhan University, No. 158 Wuyang Avenue, Enshi 445000, Hubei Province, China. xingrong-hu.cct@126.com
Telephone: +86-718-8290490 Fax: +86-718-8290490
Received: December 30, 2013
Revised: March 27, 2014
Accepted: April 28, 2014
Published online: June 28, 2014
Processing time: 178 Days and 13.9 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To compare apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of hepatic fibrosis patients with those of healthy controls and to identify their correlations with serum indices of liver fibrosis.

METHODS: Hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), type III procollagen (PCIII), and collagen type IV (IV-C) were measured in 54 hepatic fibrosis patients and 23 normal controls, and ADC values were determined on DWI at different b values (b = 300, 500, 700 s/mm2). Correlations between serum indices and ADC values at different liver fibrosis stages were examined, and each index variation of liver fibrosis in different stages were compared, and correlation analysis of each index and the staging of liver fibrosis carried out, and the correlation of each index performed.

RESULTS: With progressive liver fibrosis, HA, PCIII, and IV-C levels increased (P < 0.01). As the b value increased, the ADC value decreased gradually with the hepatic fibrosis stages. In different groups with b values of 500 s/mm2 and 700 s/mm2, the ADC value decreased significantly as liver fibrosis progressed (P < 0.01). With b values of 500 s/mm2 and 700 s/mm2, there were negative correlations between ADC and LN, PCIII, HA, and IV-C. This pattern was observed only for HA and IV-C at a b value of 300 s/mm2.

CONCLUSION: Serum indices of liver fibrosis and ADC values are useful for diagnosing liver fibrosis, with some correlations among them.

Keywords: Liver cirrhosis; Diffusion-weighted imaging; Hyaluronic acid; Laminin; Biological marker

Core tip: In our present study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of diffusion-weighted imaging scanning in cooperation with serological examinations for making the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis and to examine their correlations in order to aid in the selection and reasonable application of noninvasive techniques to improve the evaluation and diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis.