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Association of MRI-derived Segmental Nonfunctional Liver Volume and Chronic Liver Disease
Marie Ardoino1, Lukas Zbinden1,2, Jeremias B Klaus1,3,4
1Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract:
To determine whether the nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) is an indicator of chronic liver disease (CLD).Multiparametric 3T abdominal MRI examinations enhanced with gadobenate dimeglumine of 51 patients were included in the study and divided into two groups: patients with (n=20) and without (n=31) CLD. Pre- and postcontrast T1 relaxation times of the liver and aorta were measured in the T1 mapping sequences. Total and segmental liver volumes (Lvol) were determined using a convolutional neuronal network. The functional liver fraction (FLF) defined as [(1/T1liver postcontrast - 1/T1liver precontrast) ÷ (1/T1blood pool postcontrast - 1/T1blood pool precontrast)] × (1 - hematocrit) and the nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) defined as (1 - FLF) × Lvol were calculated for the whole liver, segments I-III, and IV-VIII. Volumes, FLF, and NFLV were compared between the groups using the Mann-Whitney U test and receiver operation characteristics (ROC) analysis.Volumes were significantly higher in patients with CLD than without CLD for the whole liver (p<.01), segments I-III (p<.001), and segments IV-VIII (p<.01). No significant difference was found regarding FLF (p=.20-31). NFLV of the whole liver (p<.01), segments I-III (p<.001), and IV-VIII (p<.01) were significantly increased in patients with CLD. The highest AUCs were observed for Lvol (AUC=.80; p<.001) and NFLV (AUC=.78; p<.001), both in segments I-III. The optimal NFLV cutoff values for CLD were 745 ml for the whole liver (77 % sensitivity; 75% specificity), 174 ml for segments I-III (85% sensitivity; 70% specificity), and 573 ml for segments IV-VIII (77% sensitivity; 75% specificity).MRI-derived nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) is helpful for early detection of imaging changes in CLD. NFLV is highly associated with CLD, notably when measured in the liver segments I-III. · MRI-derived NFLV may be useful for early detection of CLD.. · NFLV is significantly higher in patients with CLD than those without.. · The best AUC was obtained when NFLV was calculated for segments I-III.. · Ardoino M, Zbinden L, Klaus JB et al. Association of MRI-derived Segmental Nonfunctional Liver Volume and Chronic Liver Disease. Rofo 2025; 197: 1300-1310.
Insights
Nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) measured by MRI can detect chronic liver disease (CLD). Increased NFLV, particularly in liver segments I-III, is significantly associated with CLD, aiding early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Hepatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Chronic liver disease (CLD) poses a significant health burden.
- Accurate and early detection of CLD is crucial for timely intervention.
- Current diagnostic methods may have limitations in early-stage detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nonfunctional liver volume (NFLV) as a potential imaging biomarker for chronic liver disease (CLD).
- To assess the association between MRI-derived NFLV and the presence of CLD.
- To determine the diagnostic performance of NFLV in identifying CLD.
Main Methods:
- Multiparametric 3T abdominal MRI with gadobenate dimeglumine was performed on 51 patients (20 with CLD, 31 without).
- T1 relaxation times of liver and aorta were measured using T1 mapping sequences.
- Convolutional neural networks determined total and segmental liver volumes (Lvol); functional liver fraction (FLF) and NFLV were calculated and compared between groups using Mann-Whitney U test and ROC analysis.
Main Results:
- Patients with CLD showed significantly higher Lvol and NFLV in the whole liver and segments I-III and IV-VIII compared to controls (p<.01).
- No significant difference in functional liver fraction (FLF) was observed between groups (p=.20-31).
- NFLV in segments I-III demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance (AUC=.78), with optimal cutoff values for CLD detection.
Conclusions:
- MRI-derived NFLV is a valuable tool for the early detection of imaging changes associated with CLD.
- NFLV, especially when measured in liver segments I-III, is highly associated with CLD.
- NFLV shows potential as a non-invasive imaging biomarker for early CLD diagnosis.
