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Diffusion analysis with triexponential function in hepatic steatosis

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Abstract

Our purpose was to assess the influence of liver steatosis on diffusion by triexponential analysis. Thirty-three patients underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with multiple b values for perfusion-related diffusion, fast free diffusion, and slow restricted diffusion coefficients (D p, D f, D s) and fractions (F p, F f, F s). They also underwent dual-echo gradient-echo imaging for measurement of the hepatic fat fraction (HFF). Of these, 13 patients were included in the control group and 20 in the fatty liver group with HFF >5 %. The parameters of the two groups were compared by use of the Mann–Whitney U test. The relationships between diffusion coefficients and HFFs were assessed by use of the Pearson correlation. D p and D f were reduced significantly in the steatotic liver group compared with those in the control group (D p = 27.72 ± 6.61 × 10−3 vs. 33.33 ± 6.47 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.0072; D f = 1.70 ± 0.53 × 10−3 vs. 2.06 ± 0.40 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.0224). There were no significant differences in the other parameters between the two groups. Furthermore, D p and D f were correlated with HFF (P < 0.0001, r = −0.64 and P = 0.0008, r = −0.56, respectively). Decreased liver perfusion in steatosis caused the reduction in D p, and extracellular fat accumulation and intracellular fat droplets in steatosis led to the reduction in D f. Thus, the influence of hepatic steatosis should be taken into consideration when triexponential function analysis is used for assessment of diffuse liver disease.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiological Technology, Toranomon Hospital, 2-2-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8470, Japan

    Tatsuya Hayashi, Junji Takahashi, Yoshinori Tsuji, Hidesato Suzuki, Naomi Tagaya, Mariko Hiramoto, Kei Fukuzawa & Masakatsu Tano

  2. Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, 2-2-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8470, Japan

    Tatsuya Hayashi, Junji Takahashi, Yoshinori Tsuji, Hidesato Suzuki, Naomi Tagaya, Mariko Hiramoto, Kei Fukuzawa, Masakatsu Tano & Satoshi Saitoh

  3. Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-0942, Japan

    Tatsuya Hayashi & Tosiaki Miyati

  4. Department of Hepatology, Toranomon Hospital, 2-2-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8470, Japan

    Satoshi Saitoh

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  1. Tatsuya Hayashi
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  2. Tosiaki Miyati
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Correspondence to Tatsuya Hayashi.

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Hayashi, T., Miyati, T., Takahashi, J. et al. Diffusion analysis with triexponential function in hepatic steatosis. Radiol Phys Technol 7, 89–94 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12194-013-0235-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12194-013-0235-0

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