The utility of apparent diffusion coefficient values in predicting liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B

Aim: We aimed to determine the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained from diffusion-weighted images, histopathological fibrosis, and activity stages in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection. Material and Method: A total of 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B admitted to our hospital between September 2012 and June 2014 were included in the study. All patients underwent biopsy and abdomen MRI examination before the treatment. Diffusion examinations at five different b-values (50, 300, 500, 700, and 1000 s/mm2) were added to the abdominal MRI examination. Results: The hepatic ADC values at all b-values were negatively correlated with fibrosis stages (p<0.001 for all b-values). The ADC values at b-values 300 and 1000 were significantly lower in patient groups with histological activity indices 1 and higher compared to the patient group whose activity index was 0 (at b-value 300 p<0.034, and at b-value 1000 p<0.027). The ADC values at b-values 50, 500 and 700 were not significantly in patient groups with histological activity indices 1 and higher compared to the patient group whose activity index was 0. Hepatic ADC was a significant predictor of stage 2 or greater and stage 3 or greater fibrosis, with sensitivity of 81%-100% and 81%-96% , and specificity of 84,2%-100% and 100% (ADC with all b values). Conclusion: The ADC values have high sensitivity and specificity in indicating liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B infection. We suggest that the addition of diffusion-weighted MR images into liver MRI examination might reduce the requirement for liver biopsies in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Keywords:

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Value, diffusion MRI, hepatitis B, fibrosis liver, MRI,

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