Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI-derived functional liver imaging score (FLIS) and spleen diameter predict outcomes in ACLD.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Functional liver imaging score (FLIS) - derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI - correlates with liver function and independently predicts liver-related mortality in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), while splenic craniocaudal diameter (SCCD) is a marker of portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of a combination of FLIS and SCCD for predicting hepatic decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and mortality in patients with advanced CLD (ACLD). METHODS: We included 397 patients with CLD who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI. The FLIS was calculated by summing the points (0-2) of 3 hepatobiliary-phase features: hepatic enhancement, biliary excretion, and portal vein signal intensity. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to liver fibrosis severity and presence/history of hepatic decompensation: non-ACLD, compensated ACLD (cACLD), and decompensated ACLD (dACLD). RESULTS: SCCD showed excellent intra- and inter-reader agreement. Importantly, SCCD was an independent risk factor for hepatic decompensation in patients with cACLD (per cm; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.13; 95% CI 1.04-1.23; p = 0.004). Patients with cACLD and a FLIS of 0-3 points and/or a SCCD of >13 cm were at increased risk of hepatic decompensation (aHR 3.07; 95% CI 1.43-6.59; p = 0.004). In patients with dACLD, a FLIS of 0-3 was independently associated with an increased risk of ACLF (aHR 2.81; 95% CI 1.16-6.84; p = 0.02), even after adjusting for other prognostic factors. Finally, a FLIS and SCCD-based algorithm was independently predictive of transplant-free mortality and stratified the probability of transplant-free survival (TFS) in ACLD (p <0.001): FLIS 4-6 and SCCD ≤13 cm (5-year TFS of 84%) vs. FLIS 4-6 and SCCD >13 cm (5-year TFS of 70%) vs. FLIS 0-3 (5-year TFS of 24%). CONCLUSION: The FLIS and SCCD are simple imaging markers that provide complementary information for risk stratification in patients with compensated and decompensated ACLD. LAY SUMMARY: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to assess the state of the liver. Previously the functional liver imaging score, which is based on MRI criteria, was developed as a measure of liver function and to predict the risk of liver-related complications or death. By combining this score with a measurement of spleen diameter, also using MRI, we generated an algorithm that could predict the risk of adverse liver-related outcomes in patients with advanced chronic liver disease.

Does the Functional Liver Imaging Score Derived from Gadoxetic Acid-enhanced MRI Predict Outcomes in Chronic Liver Disease?

Background Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI enables estimation of liver function in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). The functional liver imaging score (FLIS), derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, has been shown to predict transplant-free survival in liver transplant patients. Purpose To investigate the accuracy of the FLIS for predicting hepatic decompensation and transplant-free survival in patients with CLD. Materials and Methods Patients with CLD who had undergone gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI, including T1-weighted volume-interpolated breath-hold examination sequences with fat suppression, performed between 2011 and 2015 were included. FLIS was assigned on the basis of the sum of three hepatobiliary phase features, each scored on an ordinal 0-2 scale: hepatic enhancement, biliary excretion, and the signal intensity in the portal vein. Patients were stratified into the following three groups according to fibrosis stage and a presence or history of hepatic decompensation: nonadvanced CLD, compensated advanced CLD (CACLD), and decompensated advanced CLD (DACLD). The predictive value of FLIS for first and/or further hepatic decompensation and for transplant-free survival was investigated by using Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank tests, and Cox regression analysis. Results This study evaluated 265 patients (53 years ± 14 [standard deviation]; 164 men). Intraobserver (κ = 0.98; 95% confidence interval: 0.97, 0.99) and interobserver (κ = 0.93; 95% confidence interval: 0.90, 0.95) agreement for FLIS were excellent. In patients with CACLD, the FLIS was independently predictive of a first hepatic decompensation (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 12.6; P = .04), but not for further hepatic decompensations in patients with DACLD (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval: 0.9, 1.9; P = .17). The FLIS was an independent risk factor for mortality in both patients with CACLD (adjusted hazard ratio, 7.4; 95% confidence interval: 2.7, 20.2; P < .001) and those with DACLD (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 9.5; P = .004). Conclusion The functional liver imaging score derived from gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI identified patients with advanced chronic liver disease who are at increased risk for a first hepatic decompensation and for mortality. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

MRI-defined sarcopenia predicts mortality in patients with chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: To explore whether sarcopenia, diagnosed by an abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol is a risk factor for hepatic decompensation and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). METHODS: In this retrospective single-centre study we included 265 patients (164 men, mean age 54 ± 16 years) with CLD who had undergone MRI of the liver between 2010 and 2015. Transverse psoas muscle thickness (TPMT) was measured on unenhanced and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted axial images. Sarcopenia was defined by height-adjusted and gender-specific cut-offs in women as TPMT < 8 mm/m and in men as TPMT < 12 mm/m respectively. Patients were further stratified into three prognostic stages according to the absence of advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 < 1.45, non-advanced CLD), compensated-advanced CLD (cACLD) and decompensated-advanced CLD (dACLD). RESULTS: The inter-observer agreement for the TPMT measurements (κ = 0.98; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]:0.96-0.98), as well as the intra-observer agreement between the three image sequences (κ = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.99-1.00) were excellent. Sarcopenia was not predictive of first or further hepatic decompensation. In patients with cACLD and dACLD, sarcopenia was a risk factor for mortality (cACLD: hazard ratio (HR):3.13, 95% CI: 1.33-7.41, P = .009; dACLD:HR:2.45, 95% CI: 1.32-4.57, P = .005) on univariate analysis. After adjusting for the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, albumin and evidence of clinical significant portal hypertension, sarcopenia (adjusted HR: 2.76, 95% CI: 1.02-7.42, P = .045) remained an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with cACLD. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia can be easily evaluated by a short MRI exam without the need for contrast injection. Sarcopenia is a risk factor for mortality, especially in patients with cACLD.

The clinical value of secretin-enhanced MRCP in the functional and morphological assessment of pancreatic diseases.

Secretin-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (S-MRCP) provides a non-invasive way, with which, to evaluate pancreatic duct (PD) anatomy and exocrine pancreatic function. S-MRCP can be added to the routine pancreas MR examination in equivocal cases. Moreover, it can detect subtle PD involvement, allowing diagnosis of early, rather than end-stage, pancreatic diseases. Although S-MRCP is a valuable non-invasive diagnostic method, it is only performed in a few centres due to relative high cost. Furthermore, less familiarity with its indications, the examination technique, and image interpretation also contribute to its limited use. Thus, the purpose of this article is to explain secretin's mechanism of action, the examination technique, the clinically relevant indications, the advantages, and limitations. Finally, we will focus on image analysis and its role in achieving an early and accurate diagnosis of specific pancreatic and PD diseases.