Evaluation of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis on the basis of quantitative T1 mapping: Are acute inflammation, age and liver volume confounding factors?

PurposeTo evaluate potential confounding factors in the quantitative assessment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis using T1 relaxation times.MethodsThe study population is based on a radiology-information-system database search for abdominal MRI performed from July 2018 to April 2019 at our institution. After applying exclusion criteria 200 (59 ± 16 yrs) remaining patients were retrospectively included. 93 defined as liver-healthy, 40 without known or cirrhosis, 67 subjects had clinically biopsy-proven cirrhosis. mapping was slice look-locker approach. A ROI analysis left right performed. Fat fraction, R2*, volume, laboratory parameters, sex, age evaluated factors.ResultsT1 values significantly lower healthy fibrotic changes (1.5 T MRI: 575 56 ms; 3 857 128 ms) compared with acute disease 657 73 ms, p < 0.0001; 952 37 = 0.028) 644 83 995 150 0.018). correlated moderately Child-Pugh stage 1.5 (p 0.01, ? 0.35).ConclusionT1 capable predictor detection Especially not factor and, hence, age-independent thresholds can be defined. Acute diseases are should ruled out before employing T1-relaxometry screen