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Spleen size measured on enhanced MRI for quantitatively staging liver fibrosis in minipigs
Xiao-li Chen1, Tian-wu Chen, Zhen-lin Li
1Sichuan Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, and Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College Shunqing District, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
Purpose:
To investigate whether and how spleen size measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be used to stage liver fibrosis.
Materials And Methods:
Sixteen minipigs were used to prospectively model liver fibrosis staged by biopsy. Abdominal gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed on the 0, 5th, 9th, 16th, and 21st weekend after beginning of the modeling. Splenic maximal width (W), thickness (T), length (L), and area (S) together with spleen volume (SV) and liver volume (LV) were measured on enhanced MRI and the ratio of SV to LV (SV/LV) was calculated. Spleen multidimensional indexes 1 and 2 were obtained by W × T × L and S × L, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to determine which parameter could best stage the fibrosis.
Results:
W, T, L, S, SV, index 1 and 2, and SV/LV tended to increase with increasing stages of fibrosis (r = 0.46-0.796, all P < 0.001), and might predict liver fibrosis stage ≥1, ≥2, ≥3, and 4 (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.697-1.0, all P < 0.05). Among the parameters, splenic index 1, SV, and SV/LV might be best for predicting stage ≥1 (AUC = 0.941), ≥2 or ≥3 (AUC = 0.875 or 0.978, respectively), and 4 (AUC = 1.0), respectively.
Conclusion:
Spleen size measured on MRI could be used for staging liver fibrosis.
Insights
Spleen size measurements using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can effectively stage liver fibrosis. These spleen dimensions show promise as a non-invasive tool for assessing liver disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Hepatology
- Radiology
Background:
- Liver fibrosis staging is crucial for patient management and treatment decisions.
- Current staging methods can be invasive or lack precision.
- Non-invasive imaging biomarkers are needed for accurate fibrosis assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if spleen size, measured via MRI, can be utilized for staging liver fibrosis.
- To explore the correlation between spleen dimensions and liver fibrosis severity.
Main Methods:
- Liver fibrosis was prospectively modeled in sixteen minipigs and staged by biopsy.
- Abdominal gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed serially to measure splenic dimensions (width, thickness, length, area) and volume.
- Spleen volume to liver volume ratio (SV/LV) and spleen multidimensional indexes were calculated and statistically analyzed.
Main Results:
- Spleen dimensions, volume, and calculated indexes significantly increased with advancing fibrosis stages (r = 0.46-0.796, P < 0.001).
- Spleen parameters demonstrated good predictive ability for different liver fibrosis stages (AUC = 0.697-1.0, P < 0.05).
- Splenic index 1, spleen volume (SV), and SV/LV ratio were identified as the most effective predictors for specific fibrosis stages.
Conclusions:
- Spleen size measurements obtained from MRI are a viable method for staging liver fibrosis.
- These findings suggest spleen dimensions as a potential non-invasive biomarker for liver fibrosis assessment.
