Association of MRI-derived Segmental Nonfunctional Liver Volume and Chronic Liver Disease.

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/T1_{liver postcontrast} - 1/T1_{liver precontrast}) ÷ (1/T1_{blood pool postcontrast} - 1/T1_{blood 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.