T1ρ magnetic resonance imaging value as a potential marker to assess the severity of liver fibrosis: A pilot study

Purpose: Assessment of liver fibrosis is essential for the management of liver disease. Although liver biopsy is the gold-standard modality for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis, it has some limitations. Thus, other methods are required to overcome the disadvantages of a liver biopsy. T1ρ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) values are potential biomarkers for liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to assess the relationship between T1ρ MRI values and liver fibrosis severity by measuring the correlation between T1ρ values and shear wave elastography (SWE) values, which are routinely used for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Methods: T1ρ imaging and SWE values were obtained from four healthy volunteers and 16 patients with chronic liver disease. The regions of interest on MR images were drawn and matched with those of the right liver lobe on SWE images. Results: The mean T1ρ values of the right liver lobe correlated positively with the mean SWE values (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.783; p < 0.0001; 95 % confidence interval: 0.623–0.880). Conclusion: The mean T1ρ values of the right liver lobe may be correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis.