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Updated: May 14, 2026
A Three-Dimensional Digital Model for Early Diagnosis of Hepatic Fibrosis Based on Magnetic Resonance Elastography
Published on: July 21, 2023
Spleen magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging for quantitative staging hepatic fibrosis in miniature pigs: An
Xiao-Li Chen1, Tian-Wu Chen, Xiao-Ming Zhang
1Sichuan Key Laboratory of Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
Aim:
To determine whether spleen diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters might classify liver fibrosis stage.
Methods:
Sixteen miniature pigs were prospectively used to model liver fibrosis, and underwent spleen DWI by using b = 300, 500 and 800 s/mm(2) on 0, 5th, 9th, 16th and 21st weekend after the beginning of modeling. Signal intensity ratio of spleen to paraspinous muscles (S/M), spleen exponential apparent diffusion coefficient (eADC) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for each b-value were statistically analyzed.
Results:
With increasing stages of fibrosis, S/M for all b-values showed a downward trend; and spleen eADC and ADC for b = 300 s/mm(2) showed downward and upward trends, respectively (all P < 0.05). The area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) of spleen DWI parameters was 0.777 or more by S/M for classifying each fibrosis stage, and 0.65 or more by eADC and 0.648 or more by ADC for classifying stage ≥3 or cirrhosis. Among the spleen DWI parameters, S/M for b = 300 s/mm(2) was the best parameter in classifying stage 1 or more, 2 or more and 3 or more with AUC of 0.875, 0.851 and 0.843, respectively; and spleen eADC for b = 300 s/mm(2) was best in classifying stage 4 with an AUC of 0.988.
Conclusion:
Spleen DWI may be used to stage liver fibrosis.
Insights
Spleen diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) shows promise for staging liver fibrosis. Specific DWI parameters, particularly the signal intensity ratio (S/M), effectively differentiate fibrosis stages in pigs.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Hepatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Liver fibrosis staging is crucial for patient management.
- Non-invasive imaging biomarkers are needed to assess fibrosis progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of spleen diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters in classifying liver fibrosis stages.
- To evaluate spleen DWI metrics as potential non-invasive biomarkers for liver fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Liver fibrosis was induced in 16 miniature pigs.
- Spleen DWI was performed at multiple time points using b-values of 300, 500, and 800 s/mm².
- Analysis included signal intensity ratio of spleen to paraspinous muscles (S/M), spleen exponential apparent diffusion coefficient (eADC), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).
Main Results:
- Spleen S/M ratios decreased with increasing fibrosis stages (P < 0.05).
- Spleen eADC and ADC showed trends with fibrosis at b=300 s/mm² (P < 0.05).
- Spleen S/M demonstrated high accuracy (AUC ≥ 0.777) for classifying fibrosis stages, with S/M at b=300 s/mm² being optimal (AUCs 0.843–0.875). Spleen eADC at b=300 s/mm² was highly accurate for stage 4 fibrosis (AUC = 0.988).
Conclusions:
- Spleen DWI parameters, particularly S/M, can effectively classify liver fibrosis stages.
- Spleen DWI shows potential as a non-invasive tool for assessing liver fibrosis severity.
- Further research is warranted to validate these findings in clinical settings.
