Noninvasive Monitoring of Liver Disease Regression after Hepatitis C Eradication Using Gadoxetic Acid-Enhanced MRI

Contrast Media Mol Imaging. 2018 Jul 12:2018:8489709. doi: 10.1155/2018/8489709. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

We evaluated changes in relative liver enhancement (RLE) obtained by gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (GA-MRI) in the hepatobiliary phase and changes in splenic volume (SV) after hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication as well as their predictive value for the development of (further) hepatic decompensation during follow-up. This retrospective study comprised 31 consecutive patients with HCV-induced advanced chronic liver disease who underwent GA-MRI before and after successful interferon-free treatment, as well as a cohort of 14 untreated chronic HCV-patients with paired GA-MRI. RLE increased by 66% (20%-94%; P < 0.001) from pre- to posttreatment, while SV decreased by -16% (-28% to -8%; P < 0.001). However, SV increased in 16% (5/31) of patients, the identical subjects who showed a decrease in RLE (GA-MRI-nonresponse). We observed an inverse correlation between the changes in RLE and SV (ρ=-0.608; P < 0.001). In the untreated patients, there was a decrease in RLE by -11% (-25% to -3%; P=0.019) and an increase in SV by 23% (7%-43%; P=0.004) (both P < 0.001 versus treated patients). Interestingly, GA-MRI-nonresponse was associated with a substantially increased risk of (further) hepatic decompensation 2 years after the end of treatment: 80% versus 8%; P < 0.001. GA-MRI might distinguish between individuals at low and high risk of (further) hepatic decompensation (GA-MRI-nonresponse) after HCV eradication. This could allow for individualized surveillance strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Collateral Circulation
  • Female
  • Gadolinium DTPA / chemistry*
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis C / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement
  • Interferons / therapeutic use
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spleen / pathology

Substances

  • gadolinium ethoxybenzyl DTPA
  • Interferons
  • Gadolinium DTPA