Co-existence of hepatic and pancreatic fibrosis in chronic pancreatitis patients including associated risk factors: a magnetic resonance elastography study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the co-existence of hepatic and pancreatic fibrosis using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) in chronic pancreatitis (CP), including the association between hepatic and pancreatic MRE-derived stiffness and exploration of potential etiological risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four CP patients and 35 healthy controls underwent hepatic and pancreatic MRE with measurements of tissue stiffness. Clinical parameters including stage (probable or definite CP), etiology of CP, the presence of diabetes or exocrine insufficiency, and previous history of common bile duct stenosis were assessed. Uni- and multivariate regression models were used to investigate risk factors associated with hepatic fibrosis/stiffness in CP patients. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of CP patients and none of the controls had abnormal liver stiffness (>2.5 kPa), p = 0.02. 5.6% of CP patients had liver stiffness indicating F1 fibrosis (>2.93 kPa). However, hepatic stiffness was not higher in patients than in healthy controls (2.20 ± 0.41 vs 2.08 ± 0.21 kPa, p = 0.10). In patients, a positive association was seen between hepatic and pancreatic stiffness (r = 0.270, p = 0.048). In the multivariate analysis (adjusted for age, gender and BMI), liver stiffness was significantly associated with alcoholic etiology of CP (p = 0.029). In contrast, stage of CP, history of common bile duct stenosis, and the presence of diabetes or exocrine insufficiency were not associated with liver stiffness (all p > 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Only a modest co-existence of hepatic and pancreatic fibrosis was observed in CP. However, the positive association between hepatic and pancreatic stiffness indicates some level of common pathophysiology. Especially, alcoholic etiology of CP was related to increased hepatic stiffness.

MRI-Based Quantification of Pan-Alimentary Function and Motility in Subjects with Diabetes and Gastrointestinal Symptoms.

Background: Diabetes-induced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common but difficult to correctly diagnose and manage. We used multi-segmental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate structural and functional GI parameters in diabetic patients and to study the association with their symptomatic presentation. Methods: Eighty-six participants (46 with diabetes and GI symptoms, 40 healthy controls) underwent baseline and post-meal MRI scans at multiple timepoints. Questionnaires were collected at inclusion and following the scans. Data were collected from the stomach, small bowel, and colon. Associations between symptoms and collected data were explored. Utilizing machine learning, we determined which features differentiated the two groups the most. Key Results: The patient group reported more symptoms at inclusion and during MRI scans. They showed 34% higher stomach volume at baseline, 40% larger small bowel volume, 30% smaller colon volume, and less small bowel motility postprandially. They also showed positive associations between gastric volume and satiety scores, gastric emptying time and reflux scores, and small bowel motility and constipation scores. No differences in gastric emptying were observed. Small bowel volume and motility were used as inputs to a classification tool that separated patients and controls with 76% accuracy. Conclusions: In this work, we studied structural and functional differences between patients with diabetes and GI symptoms and healthy controls and observed differences in stomach, small bowel, and colon volumes, as well as an adynamic small bowel in patients with diabetes and GI symptoms. Associations between recorded parameters and perceived symptoms were also explored and discussed.