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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: A Non-Invasive Tool to Assess and Differentiate Fat Patterns in Liver Using 3D Dixon MRI
Published on: October 20, 2023
Association between paravertebral muscle radiological parameter alterations and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Lulu Lin1, Mengjiao Chen1, Xiaoyan Huang1
1Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
Purpose:
To assess changes in laboratory indices, paravertebral muscle (PVM) fat infiltration and multi b-value DWI parameters and their potential correlation with NAFLD.
Methods:
This retrospective analysis included 178 patients with histopathologically confirmed NAFLD, incluiding 76 with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Differences in PVM fat infiltration ratio (FIR), DWI parameters, and laboratory indices were compared between two groups. The correlation between FIR and NAFLD activity score (NAS) was also analysed. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the independent risk factors for NASH. The clinical utility of PVM fat infiltration, DWI parameters, and laboratory indices for diagnosing NASH in patients with NAFLD was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
Results:
The FIRs at the L2 and L3 levels were significantly higher in the with NASH group than those in the without NASH group. The heterogeneity index (α) and perfusion fraction (f) values at the L3 level of PVM were lower in the with NASH group. Moreover, the FIR at the L3 level was positively correlated with NAS. FIR at the L3 level was an independent risk factor for NASH along with alanine aminotransferase level. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) using L3 level PVM radiological parameters and laboratory indices for diagnosing NASH in patients with NAFLD was significantly higher than that using the degree of PVM fat infiltration, DWI parameters, or laboratory indices alone.
Conclusions:
Radiological parameters of the PVM were correlated with NAFLD. An integrated curve combining PVM radiological parameters may help distinguish NASH from NAFLD, thereby offering novel insights into the diagnosis of NASH.
Insights
Paravertebral muscle (PVM) fat infiltration and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters correlate with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). PVM fat infiltration, combined with lab tests, aids in diagnosing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in NAFLD patients.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Radiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health concern.
- Distinguishing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from simple NAFLD is crucial for patient management.
- Novel biomarkers for NASH diagnosis are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess laboratory indices, paravertebral muscle (PVM) fat infiltration, and multi b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) parameters.
- To evaluate their correlation with NAFLD and their utility in diagnosing NASH.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 178 histopathologically confirmed NAFLD patients (76 with NASH).
- Comparison of PVM fat infiltration ratio (FIR), DWI parameters, and laboratory indices between groups.
- Correlation analysis between FIR and NAFLD activity score (NAS); logistic regression for NASH risk factors; ROC curve analysis for diagnostic utility.
Main Results:
- Higher PVM FIR at L2/L3 levels in the NASH group.
- Lower PVM heterogeneity index (α) and perfusion fraction (f) at L3 in the NASH group.
- L3 FIR positively correlated with NAS; L3 FIR and ALT were independent NASH risk factors. Combined PVM parameters and lab tests showed superior diagnostic AUC for NASH.
Conclusions:
- PVM radiological parameters are correlated with NAFLD.
- An integrated approach combining PVM radiological parameters and laboratory indices shows promise for distinguishing NASH from NAFLD.
- This offers novel insights into NASH diagnosis.
