Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026
Measurement of Liver Stiffness Using Atomic Force Microscopy Coupled with Polarization Microscopy
Published on: July 20, 2022
MRI measured liver stiffness does not predict focal liver lesions after the Fontan operation
Eric S Diaz1,2, Jonathan R Dillman3,4, Gruschen R Veldtman5
1Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., MLC 5031, Cincinnati, OH, 45229-3026, USA.
Background:
Focal liver lesions are common in children and adults after Fontan procedures.
Objective:
To explore the relationship between liver shear stiffness, using magnetic resonance (MR) elastography, and the presence of focal liver lesions in patients after Fontan procedures (total cavopulmonary anastomosis).
Materials And Methods:
The retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and the requirement for informed consent was waived. By searching institutional electronic medical records, we identified all patients with a history of Fontan palliation of congenital heart disease who had undergone same-day liver MR elastography and liver MRI without and with intravenous contrast material between January 2012 and December 2017. Using imaging reports, patients were placed into two groups: 1) no focal liver lesions and 2) one or more focal liver lesions. Patient age, sex, mean liver shear stiffness (kPa) and maximum single anatomical level liver shear stiffness (kPa) were recorded. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare age and liver stiffness between groups, while the Fisher exact test was used to assess the impact of gender on liver lesions.
Results:
Forty-eight patients met study inclusion criteria; 33 (69%) had one or more focal liver lesions. The median age was 20.0 years (IQR [interquartile range]: 10.8-29.1 years) for patients without liver lesions and 19.9 years (IQR: 17.2-27.0 years) for patients with liver lesions (P=0.49). Eleven of 21 male patients (52.4%) had liver lesions compared to 22 of 27 female patients (81.5%) (P=0.058). Mean (4.62 kPa [IQR: 4.10-5.59 kPa] vs. 4.10 kPa [IQR: 3.44-4.80 kPa]; P=0.02) and maximum (5.53 kPa [IQR: 4.64-6.56 kPa] vs. 4.50 kPa [IQR: 3.82-5.35 kPa]; P=0.009) liver stiffness were significantly higher in patients without liver lesions as compared to patients with liver lesions.
Conclusion:
Our study demonstrated a significant negative association between focal liver lesions and increased liver stiffness in patients following Fontan procedures.
More Related Videos
12:35In vivo Liver Endocytosis Followed by Purification of Liver Cells by Liver Perfusion
Published on: November 10, 2011
09:27Analysis of Liver Microenvironment During Early Progression of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Zebrafish
Published on: April 1, 2021
Related Concept Videos
01:27Liver Histology
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...
01:30Liver Physiology
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
01:24Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
01:17Gross Anatomy of the Liver
Located under the diaphragm, the liver is almost entirely ensconced within the rib cage, providing it with substantial protection. Except for the superior most bare area, the liver's surface is...
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test