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. 2019 May 31;129(5):321-326.
doi: 10.20452/pamw.4456. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Normative values for magnetic resonance elastography-based liver stiffness in a healthy population

Marzanna Obrzut  1 , Vitaliy Atamaniuk  1 , Bogdan Obrzut  2 , Richard Ehman  3 , Marian Cholewa  1 , Mateusz Rzucidło  4 , Andrii Pozaruk  1   5 , Krzysztof Gutkowski  4
Affiliations

Normative values for magnetic resonance elastography-based liver stiffness in a healthy population

Marzanna Obrzut et al. Pol Arch Intern Med. .

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Chronic liver disease resulting in fibrosis, and ultimately cirrhosis, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. None of the conventional imaging techniques are able to detect early fibrosis and compare its grade with the histopathologic scale. Liver biopsy, as the diagnostic standard for liver fibrosis, also has limitations and is not well accepted by patients. Magnetic resonance elastography is a well‑established technique for evaluating liver stiffness and may replace invasive procedures. Detection of liver fibrosis in its early stages, however, requires a detailed knowledge of normal liver stiffness. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine normal liver stiffness values in healthy volunteers. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 102 volunteers (mean age, 21.6 years; range, 20-28 years) with no history of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, or cardiovascular disease were enrolled in the study. Liver stiffness was evaluated by magnetic resonance elastography with a 1.5T clinical magnetic resonance scanner. Images of the induced transverse wave propagation were obtained and converted to tissue stiffness maps (elastograms). RESULTS The mean (SD) liver stiffness for the entire group of volunteers was 2.14 (0.28) kPa (range, 1.37-2.66 kPa). For women, the mean (SD) stiffness value was 2.14 (0.30) kPa (range, 1.37-2.66 kPa), and for men, 2.14 (0.25) kPa (range, 1.54-2.54 kPa). CONCLUSIONS Liver stiffness in a healthy adult cohort did not exceed 2.7 kPa and is not influenced by sex, body mass index, or fat content.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RLE and Mayo Clinic have intellectual property rights and a financial interest in magnetic resonance elastography technology. RLE serves as CEO of Resoundant, Inc. Other authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Magnetic resonance elastography of the liver in a healthy white individual. Axial magnitude image (A), wave image (B), and stiffness map (C) of one slice from the magnetic resonance elastography sequence. The liver is outlined in the wave image and the stiffness map (B and C). Three regions of interest are located in the right lobe of the liver (white circles) (C).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
A box‑and‑whisker plot showingthe distribution of mean liver stiffness values in 102 healthy white volunteers. Dots represent the mean values of each volunteer.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Box‑and‑whisker plots showing the distribution of mean liver stiffness values in men and women
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
A scatterplot diagram showing the correlation between age and mean liver stiffness
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
A scatterplot diagram showing the correlation between estimated fat fraction percent of the liver and mean liver stiffness values in 102 healthy white volunteers
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
A scatterplot diagram showing the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and mean liver stiffness values in 102 healthy white volunteers
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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